brigue
See also: brigué
English
Etymology
Borrowed from French brigue, of uncertain origin. Compare Italian briga, Spanish brega.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /bɹiːɡ/
- Rhymes: -iːɡ
Noun
brigue (plural brigues)
- (obsolete) Intrigue; secretive machinations.
- October 9 1749, Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, in Letters to His Son, published in 1774
- the rise and decay of the Papal power , the politics of that Court , the Brigues of the Cardinals , the tricks of the Conclaves
- October 9 1749, Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, in Letters to His Son, published in 1774
Verb
brigue (third-person singular simple present brigues, present participle briguing, simple past and past participle brigued)
- (obsolete) To achieve or obtain by underhand methods.
- 1704, [Jonathan Swift], “Section I. The Introduction.”, in A Tale of a Tub. […], London: […] John Nutt, […], OCLC 752990886, page 45:
- [W]e think it very unbecoming our Prudence, that the Determination ſhould be remitted to the Authors themſelves; when our Adversaries, by Briguing and Caballing, have cauſed so univerſal a Defection from us, that the greater Part of our Society has already deſerted to them, [...]
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French
Pronunciation
- Homophones: briguent, brigues
Verb
brigue
- inflection of briguer:
- first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
- second-person singular imperative
Norman
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Noun
brigue f (plural brigues)
- (Jersey) brig
Portuguese
Verb
brigue
- inflection of brigar:
- first/third-person singular present subjunctive
- third-person singular imperative