galere: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very LowLiterary, Humorous, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “galere” mean?
A group of people, typically viewed as unpleasant, disreputable, or troublesome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of people, typically viewed as unpleasant, disreputable, or troublesome.
Any motley, unwelcome, or bizarre collection of people, or a difficult situation involving such a group. Originates from the image of a galley crew of convicts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and stylistically marked in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties share the core connotation of a troublesome or ridiculous crew. The archaic/literary flavour is strong in both.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern usage. Primarily found in historical texts, deliberate archaisms, or sophisticated humorous writing.
Grammar
How to Use “galere” in a Sentence
[determiner] + galere (e.g., the whole galere, that galere)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; might appear in literary criticism or historical analysis.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be used for deliberate, humorous effect by a highly literate speaker.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “galere”
- Using it without the definite article ('We met galere' – incorrect).
- Using it as a neutral term for any group.
- Misspelling as 'gallery' or 'galley'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and considered archaic or highly literary. Its use is almost always stylistically marked for humour or historical flavour.
No, it inherently carries a negative, dismissive, or ironic connotation. Using it for a positively viewed group would be misinterpreted as sarcasm.
It comes from French 'galère', meaning 'galley' (a type of ship). Historically, galleys were often rowed by convicts, hence the association with a disreputable crew.
No. The stress is on the last syllable: gal-EER (/ɡæˈlɛər/ in RP, /ɡæˈlɛr/ in GenAm). 'Gallery' is stressed on the first syllable: GAL-ler-y.
A group of people, typically viewed as unpleasant, disreputable, or troublesome.
Galere is usually literary, humorous, archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the whole galere (every last one of them, especially the undesirable ones)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GALE (storm) hitting a CREW of unpleasant people on a ship – a 'gale-crew' or GALERE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE CONVICTS (on a slave galley). A SOCIAL GROUP IS A PUNISHMENT DETAIL.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'galere' CORRECTLY?