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soufre

sulphur

noun SOO-fruh Rare
Animals & Nature Environment

Origin: Latin sulphur

Usage Note

Soufre is the chemical element (symbol S) known in English as sulphur (or sulfur in American English). The phrase sentir le soufre ('to smell of sulphur') figuratively means to be suspected of heresy or diabolical intent — a reference to hellfire imagery. The adjective sulfureux ('sulphurous') carries this figurative charge in literary French.

Examples

"Le volcan dégage une odeur de soufre."

Natural Translation

The volcano gives off a smell of sulphur.

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