charrue

plough

noun sha-REW Rare

Origin: From Latin 'carruca', of Gaulish origin (from 'carros', wheeled vehicle).

Usage Note

Charrue is the standard French word for a plough. The well-known proverb mettre la charrue avant les boeufs ('to put the plough before the oxen') is equivalent to the English 'to put the cart before the horse'. The related verb charroyer means to cart or haul.

Examples

"Le paysan guidait la charrue dans le champ."

Natural Translation

The farmer guided the plough through the field.

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