gourmont: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Proper noun, highly specialised)Literary, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “gourmont” mean?
A French surname, historically referring to notable figures like the writer Rémy de Gourmont, and occasionally used metonymically in literary contexts to denote a certain refined, decadent, or intellectual style associated with him.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A French surname, historically referring to notable figures like the writer Rémy de Gourmont, and occasionally used metonymically in literary contexts to denote a certain refined, decadent, or intellectual style associated with him.
In extended use, can refer to a person, a style, or a work embodying the aesthetic principles (e.g., Symbolist, decadent, highly intellectual) characteristic of Rémy de Gourmont's writings. Rarely used as a common noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; usage is equally rare in both variants and confined to the same literary-academic contexts.
Connotations
Carries connotations of French Symbolism, fin-de-siècle decadence, intellectualism, and stylistic refinement.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Might be marginally more encountered in UK academic contexts due to historical focus on European literary history.
Grammar
How to Use “gourmont” in a Sentence
N/A for proper nounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gourmont” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The essay had a distinctly Gourmontian sensibility.
- His Gourmontian detachment was evident.
American English
- Her analysis was refreshingly Gourmontian in its approach.
- A Gourmontian perspective on the novel.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in literary studies, history of ideas, or Symbolist movement analysis. E.g., 'Gourmont's theory of dissociation of ideas.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
N/A
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gourmont”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gourmont”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gourmont”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He is a gourmont').
- Mispronouncing the silent 't'.
- Spelling it as 'Gourmand'.
- Assuming it has a general English meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is the transliterated surname of a French person. It enters English discourse only as a proper noun referring to that individual or his style.
In English, it is often approximated. A common British pronunciation is /ˈɡʊə.mɒ̃/ (GOOR-mon, with a nasalised 'o'), and American is often /ɡʊrˈmoʊn/ (goor-MOHN). The final 't' is silent.
Only in very specific literary-critical contexts, typically as the adjective 'Gourmontian'. Using it in general conversation would be obscure and confusing.
He was a French Symbolist writer, critic, and novelist (1858-1915), known for his intellectual essays, promotion of Symbolism, and his concept of the 'dissociation of ideas'.
A French surname, historically referring to notable figures like the writer Rémy de Gourmont, and occasionally used metonymically in literary contexts to denote a certain refined, decadent, or intellectual style associated with him.
Gourmont is usually literary, academic, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GOURmet + MONTh in Paris. A 'Gourmet' of the mind (Mont = mountain/high thought) from a specific 'month' (era) in French literature.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHOR FOR STYLE (The name stands for a complex of intellectual and aesthetic qualities).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Gourmont' most likely to be used correctly?