la bande

The French word "bande" has several meanings depending on the context. Here is an explanation of the word in English:

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Meaning of "bande"

1. Band / Strip / Ribbon

   • A "bande" can refer to a long, narrow strip of material, such as a strip of cloth, paper, or another substance.
     Examples:
   • A bande of fabric used for tying.
   • A bande of tape.

2. Group / Gang / Band

   • It can also denote a group of people, usually informal or with a shared interest, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation like a "gang" or "mob."
     Examples:
   • A bande of friends (a group of friends).
   • A bande of thieves (a gang of thieves).

3. Band / Strip in Media or Technology

   • For instance, in discussions of frequency bands (radio, TV).
   • “Bande passante” = bandwidth.

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Parts & Derivatives

• The base word is "bande" (feminine noun).
• Les bandes is the plural form.
• Derivatives often include compound nouns, like "bande dessinée" (comic strip) or "bande-annonce" (movie trailer).

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Synonyms

• For strip or band (material):

  • Ruban (ribbon)
  • Languette (tab, strip)

• For group / gang / band of people:

  • Groupe (group)
  • Bande de copains (group of friends)
  • Gang (gang)

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Antonyms

• No direct antonym since the meanings differ by context, but e.g., for group, antonyms might be individual (individu).
• For strip, antonyms might be solid or block (but this is context-dependent).

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To summarize: "bande" can mean a strip (physical object) or a group of people (social group or gang), and it appears in many compound expressions in French.