limier

sleuth, bloodhound detective

noun lee-MYEH Rare

Also means

bloodhound (dog)

Usage Note

Limier originally meant a large hunting dog used to track game on a leash (lien), and transferred naturally to a detective who sniffs out clues. Un fin limier (a sharp detective) is the standard figurative expression. The word is now more common in the figurative sense than the canine one.

Examples

"Ce fin limier a résolu l'affaire en deux jours."

Natural Translation

This sharp detective solved the case in two days.

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