messidor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / RareHistorical / Literary / Technical
Quick answer
What does “messidor” mean?
The tenth month of the French Republican Calendar, roughly corresponding to June-July in the Gregorian calendar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The tenth month of the French Republican Calendar, roughly corresponding to June-July in the Gregorian calendar.
A historical term used to denote a specific period in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in France, or used metaphorically to evoke the imagery of harvest time or the French Revolution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes academic history, revolutionary France, or poetic archaism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British academic texts due to historical focus on European history, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “messidor” in a Sentence
[Preposition 'in' + Messidor][Verb 'fall on' + Messidor]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “messidor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The Messidor decrees were issued in 1794.
- He studied the Messidor festivals.
American English
- A Messidor heatwave was recorded.
- The Messidor harvest was abundant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical texts discussing the French Revolution or calendar reforms.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in precise historical dating or in studies of calendar systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “messidor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “messidor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “messidor”
- Using it to refer to a modern month.
- Misspelling as 'Messidore' or 'Messidoor'.
- Pronouncing the final 'r' in British English (it is often silent).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the French Republican Calendar was abandoned by Napoleon in 1805. It is only used historically.
It derives from the Latin 'messis' meaning 'harvest' and the Greek 'dōron' meaning 'gift' – 'gift of the harvest'.
Only if you have a specific interest in French history or historical calendars. It is not a useful word for general English communication.
In British English, the final 'r' is typically not pronounced. In American English, a light 'r' sound (/r/) is pronounced.
The tenth month of the French Republican Calendar, roughly corresponding to June-July in the Gregorian calendar.
Messidor is usually historical / literary / technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MESS'idor comes after the 'field work' months, when the harvest is gathered and potentially messy.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CALENDAR (specific, historical, and man-made).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'Messidor'?