enterrer
bury
Mettre quelque chose ou quelqu’un sous la terre pour le cacher ou après un décès.
French word: enterrer
Meaning in English:
The verb "enterrer" means "to bury". It is primarily used in the context of placing a dead body or an object underground.
Explanation:
- enterrer is a verb derived from the root terre (which means "earth" or "ground") with the prefix en- indicating "in" or "inside".
- So literally, "enterrer" means to put "in the earth."
Uses:
-
Literal meaning:
- To place a dead body, animal, or object under the ground.
- Example: Ils ont enterré le chien dans le jardin. → They buried the dog in the garden.
-
Figurative meaning:
- To discard or put aside something, often an idea, plan, or hope, implying it will be forgotten or no longer considered.
- Example: Ils ont enterré le projet après les difficultés. → They buried the project after the difficulties.
Parts of the word:
- en-: a prefix meaning "in" or "into."
- terre: noun meaning "earth" or "ground."
- -er: verb ending, as enterrer is a regular -er verb.
French synonyms:
- inumer (chiefly a synonym for burying in certain contexts)
- ensevelir (to bury, to entomb)
- enterrement (noun, meaning the act of burying or funeral)
- fouler (when meaning to trampling, though not always synonymous)
French antonyms:
- déterrer (to unearth, to dig up, to exhume)
- exhumer (to exhume, to dig out from the earth)
Summary:
"Enterrer" is a French verb meaning "to bury," mostly used when putting something or someone into the earth. It can also mean metaphorically to abandon or discard something. It is formed from the prefix en- and the noun terre. Its opposites are "déterrer" and "exhumer."
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Examples
Nous allons enterrer ce coffre dans le jardin.verb
We are going to bury this chest in the garden.
Ils veulent enterrer une boîte sous l'arbre.verb
They want to bury a box under the tree.
As-tu déjà enterré les graines au fond du pot?verb
Have you already buried the seeds at the bottom of the pot?
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