cervelle
French
Etymology
From Middle French cervelle, from Old French cervele, from Latin cerebella, the plural of cerebellum (whence French cerveau) reinterpreted as a feminine singular.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /sɛʁ.vɛl/
audio (file)
Noun
cervelle f (plural cervelles)
- (archaic or derogatory) brain (organ of thought)
- Synonym: cerveau
- Utilise ta cervelle, banane !
- Use your brain, idiot!
- (cooking) brains
- cervelle de veau au beurre
- calf brains in butter
Derived terms
- sans cervelle
- se creuser la cervelle
- se faire sauter la cervelle
Further reading
- “cervelle”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Middle French
Etymology
From Old French cervele.
Noun
cervelle f (plural cervelles)
- brain (anatomy)
Descendants
- French: cervelle