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turbulent

turbulent, rowdy

adjective tür-bü-LAHN Rare

Origin: From Latin 'turbulentus', from 'turba' (crowd, disorder).

Usage Note

Turbulent (feminine turbulente) is used both literally — une mer turbulente (a rough sea), une zone de turbulences (an area of turbulence in aviation) — and figuratively for a lively, boisterous child or a chaotic period: une période turbulente ('a turbulent period'). The noun turbulences (f pl) is common in aviation and journalistic contexts.

Examples

"Cet enfant est très turbulent en classe."

Natural Translation

This child is very rowdy in class.

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