French

Proper noun

Flèche f

1. (astronomy) Sagitta, a constellation

English

Noun

flèche ‎(plural flèches)

1. (obsolete) An arrow.
2. (backgammon) Any of the twenty-four points on a backgammon board.
3. (architecture) A spire or steeple, especially of Gothic style; an object emerging from the ridge of a roof.
4. (military, fortification) An earthwork consisting of two berms forming an angle with an open gorge.
5. (fencing) A method of attack with a sword (foil or épée) in which the attacker's back leg crosses in front of the front leg in the offensive move.

Related terms

• flechette, fléchette

French

Etymology

From Old French fleche, from Frankish *fliukkija. Compare Portuguese and Spanish flecha, Italian freccia, Catalan fletxa, Galician frecha.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /flɛʃ/

Noun

flèche f ‎(plural flèches)

1. (archery, symbol) arrow (projectile or symbol)
2. spire
3. jib
4. pointer, needle
5. (fencing) fleche

Verb

flèche

1. first-person singular present indicative of flécher
2. third-person singular present indicative of flécher
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of flécher
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of flécher
5. second-person singular imperative of flécher

See also

• arc