périple

long journey, trek

noun peh-REEPL Rare

Origin: Greek periplous, sailing around

Also means

voyage around a region

Usage Note

Périple originally meant a sea voyage around a coastline or region, but in modern French it has broadened to mean any long, often adventurous journey, and can be used humorously for a complicated urban errand. Avoid confusing it with péripétie (a plot twist or unexpected turn of events).

Examples

"Leur périple à travers l'Afrique a duré six mois."

Natural Translation

Their journey across Africa lasted six months.

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