directoire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Historical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “directoire” mean?
A French-style government by a committee or council, especially the Directory of 1795–1799.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A French-style government by a committee or council, especially the Directory of 1795–1799.
Used attributively to describe a style of clothing (especially a high-waisted dress popular in the late 18th/early 19th century) or furniture associated with the period of the French Directory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Slightly more likely to appear in British historical and fashion writing, but the difference is marginal.
Connotations
Evokes French history, neoclassical style, and specific fashion silhouettes.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects, primarily found in specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “directoire” in a Sentence
the [ADJ] Directoirea [ADJ] Directoire [NOUN]style of the DirectoireVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “directoire” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She wore a beautiful Directoire gown to the Regency ball.
- The chair was a fine example of Directoire craftsmanship.
American English
- The exhibit featured several Directoire-style dresses.
- He studied the politics of the Directoire period.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used in history (French Revolution) and fashion history texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term in historical and fashion studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “directoire”
- Misspelling as 'directory' (the common English word for a list).
- Mispronouncing the final syllable as English 'tory' instead of French 'twah(r)'.
- Using it in general contexts where 'directory' or 'board' is intended.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in historical contexts, 'the Directoire' is the English term for the French 'Directoire', often translated as 'the Directory'. 'Directoire' is the more precise, untranslated term.
No, it is a highly specialized term. In everyday situations, you would use 'directory' for a list of contacts or 'board'/'committee' for a governing group.
It is a woman's dress style from c. 1795–1800, characterized by a very high waistline just below the bust, a slender, columnar skirt, and often classical-inspired decoration. It is closely related to, and often grouped with, the later Empire style.
Pronounce it roughly as 'di-rek-TWAH'. The final 'e' is silent, and the 'oire' sounds like 'twah' (UK) or 'twahr' (US), not like 'tory'.
A French-style government by a committee or council, especially the Directory of 1795–1799.
Directoire is usually formal/historical/specialist in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DIRECTly from the French DIRECToire government, which had a DIRECT influence on fashion.'
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A STYLE SOURCE (The name of a political body becomes a label for an aesthetic period).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Directoire' primarily refer to in a historical context?