perigord: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Geographical, Culinary, Historical
Quick answer
What does “perigord” mean?
A historical and cultural region in southwestern France, known for its cuisine, especially truffles and foie gras, its medieval villages, and its prehistoric sites.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical and cultural region in southwestern France, known for its cuisine, especially truffles and foie gras, its medieval villages, and its prehistoric sites.
Used metonymically to refer to the culinary products (especially black truffles and foie gras), the architectural style, or the historical heritage originating from this region.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, but familiarity may be slightly higher in UK English due to geographical proximity and culinary culture.
Connotations
Connotes high-quality, rustic French cuisine, heritage, and rural beauty.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language. Slightly more likely to be encountered in upmarket food writing, travelogues, or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “perigord” in a Sentence
[Périgord] + noun (attributive)the + [Périgord] + of + (historical period)in + [Périgord]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “perigord” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Périgord specialities are unmissable.
- It was a classic Périgord farmhouse.
American English
- The Périgord specialties are unmissable.
- It was a classic Périgord farmhouse.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in gourmet food import/export or luxury tourism.
Academic
In historical, geographical, or culinary studies discussing French regions.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by food enthusiasts or travelers.
Technical
In mycology (truffle taxonomy: Tuber melanosporum, the Périgord truffle) or gastronomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “perigord”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “perigord”
- Misspelling: 'Perigord' (without accent), 'Perigourd'.
- Mispronouncing: /pəˈriːɡɔːrd/ (stress on second syllable).
- Using as a common noun, e.g., 'a perigord' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Broadly, yes in modern terms. The Dordogne is the current administrative département that corresponds largely to the historical region of Périgord.
In careful writing, especially formal or culinary contexts, the accent (Périgord) is recommended. It is often dropped (Perigord) in informal English texts.
Yes, attributively. It functions as a proper adjective (e.g., Périgord cuisine, Périgord style) to describe things originating from the region.
In English, it is typically /ˈpɛrɪɡɔːd/ (PEH-ri-gord). The French pronunciation is closer to /pe.ʁi.ɡɔʁ/, but the anglicised version is standard in English speech.
A historical and cultural region in southwestern France, known for its cuisine, especially truffles and foie gras, its medieval villages, and its prehistoric sites.
Perigord is usually formal, geographical, culinary, historical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PEAR (pé-) and a GOURD (-rigord) growing together in a rich, French countryside—this region is fertile for famous foods.
Conceptual Metaphor
PÉRIGORD IS A SOURCE OF CULINARY WEALTH / PÉRIGORD IS A LIVING HISTORY BOOK.
Practice
Quiz
What is Périgord best known for?