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griser

to make tipsy, to intoxicate

verb gree-ZEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Origin: From gris 'grey' in the sense of 'halfway between white and black' — slightly drunk

Also means

to exhilarate, to go to one's head

Usage Note

Griser means to make someone slightly drunk, but its more common use is figurative — se griser de vitesse means to be intoxicated by speed, griser par le succès means to be made heady by success. The related adjective grisé captures this excited, slightly dizzied state. The noun griserie means a heady excitement or exhilaration.

Examples

"La vitesse de la moto le grisait complètement."

Natural Translation

The speed of the motorbike completely intoxicated him.

Literal Translation

The speed of the motorbike him-intoxicated completely.

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