jalouse
Extremely RareArchaic/Dialectal
Definition
Meaning
To be jealous of; to suspect.
To be envious of someone's success or possessions; to be suspicious of someone's actions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is an archaic or dialectal (chiefly Scottish) variant of 'jealous', and its use as a verb ('to jalouse') is even rarer and more marginal than the adjective form. It carries a dual meaning of both 'suspect' and 'be envious of'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In contemporary use, it is virtually extinct in standard American English. In British English, it is found only in historical texts or in very specific Scottish dialect contexts.
Connotations
It has a quaint, old-fashioned, or regional flavor. Using it in modern standard English would sound intentionally archaic or like a conscious literary affectation.
Frequency
Effectively zero in modern general usage for both varieties. It is a dictionary word, not a usage word.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] jalouses [Object].[Subject] jalouses [that]-clause.[Subject] jalouses [Object] of [something].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or philological discussions about the Scots language.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old gardener began to jalouse his young rival's success.
- She jaloused that the letter contained bad news.
American English
- He jaloused his brother's new position in the firm. (historical/archaic)
adverb
British English
- (No common adverbial form exists.)
American English
- (No common adverbial form exists.)
adjective
British English
- He was a jalouse man, always watching his neighbour's fortune.
- (archaic/dialectal)
American English
- (Not used in contemporary American English.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the old Scottish tale, the fisherman's wife jaloused that he was hiding a secret.
- The word 'jalouse' is an archaic term you might find in classic literature.
- Reading the 18th-century correspondence, one sees how the laird jaloused his tenants of conspiring against him.
- Linguists note 'jalouse' as a fossilized Scots verb form, semantically blending envy and suspicion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'jealous' but with a 'z' sound at the end, like you're adding suspicion (z-z-z). Jalouse = Jealous + Suspect.
Conceptual Metaphor
JEALOUSY/ENVY IS A SUSPICION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'жаловать' (zhalovat') which means 'to favor' or 'to complain'. They are false friends.
- It is not the standard translation for 'to be jealous' (завидовать - zavidovat') or 'to suspect' (подозревать - podozrevat').
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern writing expecting it to be understood.
- Spelling it as 'jaloos', 'jaluse', or 'jallous'.
- Pronouncing the 's' as /s/ instead of /z/.
Practice
Quiz
The word 'jalouse' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic and dialectal (chiefly Scots) variant of 'jealous'. Its use as a verb is extremely rare today.
Only for specific stylistic effect, such as in historical fiction or to evoke a Scottish dialect. In standard modern English, use 'be jealous of', 'envy', or 'suspect'.
'Jealous' is the standard modern adjective. 'Jalouse' is an archaic/dialectal form that can function as both an adjective and, more uniquely, as a verb meaning 'to suspect' or 'to be jealous of'.
It is pronounced /dʒəˈlaʊz/ (juh-LOWZ), rhyming with 'house' (when 'house' is a verb). The 's' is voiced like a 'z'.