nounverb

la goutte

drop

C'est une petite quantité de liquide qui tombe ou reste sur une surface, comme l'eau de la pluie ou d'un robinet.

Word: goutte

Language: French


Meaning:

  1. Primary meaning:
    A goutte is a "drop" in English. It usually refers to a small round quantity of liquid, such as a droplet of water, rain, or any other fluid.

  2. Secondary meaning: (Medical context)
    La goutte also means "gout" in English, which is a form of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in joints, caused by excess uric acid forming crystals in the joints.


Parts of the word:

  • Goutte is a simple noun without prefixes or suffixes in its common form.

Synonyms:

  • For "drop" (liquid context):

    • perle (pearl, often poetic for drop)
    • larme (tear, sometimes used metaphorically for a drop of liquid)
    • liquide (liquid, more general, not exactly synonymous but related)
  • For "gout" (arthritis):

    • arthrite (arthritis, broader category) — not an exact synonym, but related

Antonyms:

  • For "drop":

    • masse (mass) or une grande quantité (a large quantity — essentially the opposite of a small droplet)
  • For "gout" (medical condition):
    There are no direct antonyms, but you could consider "health" or "absence of pain/arthritis" as general opposites in context.


Example sentences:

  • Une goutte d'eau — A drop of water
  • Il a une crise de goutte. — He has a gout attack.

Summary:

  • goutte primarily means "drop" (a small portion of liquid).
  • Secondarily, in medical terms, it means "gout" (the disease).
  • Context determines which meaning applies.

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Examples

Une goutte d'eau est tombée sur ma main.noun

A drop of water fell on my hand.

Regarde cette goutte qui brille.noun

Look at that drop that is shining.

Combien de gouttes voulez-vous dans votre thé ?noun

How many drops do you want in your tea?

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