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baïonnette

bayonet

noun bah-yo-NET Rare

Origin: from Bayonne, France

Usage Note

Baïonnette takes its name from the French city of Bayonne where the weapon was first produced in the 17th century — a clear etymological case worth knowing. In everyday modern French it also appears in compound douille à baïonnette (bayonet fitting/mount), used for light bulbs and camera lenses that lock with a twist.

Examples

"Les soldats ont fixé leur baïonnette."

Natural Translation

The soldiers fixed their bayonets.

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