English

Noun

guillemet ‎(plural guillemets)

1. Either of the punctuation marks « or », used in several languages to indicate passages of speech. Similar to typical quotation marks used in the English language such as “ and ”.

Synonyms

• angle quote
• chevron (Typography)
• duckfoot quote
• double angle quotation mark (Unicode name)

Translations

References

1. ↑ Microsoft Character design standards, Latin 1: Punctuation Design Standards (§ Pointing quotation marks – Guillemets)
2. ↑ Merriam-Webster
3. ↑ Dictionary.com
4. ↑ Trésor de la Langue Française (© 2007, Centre National de Ressources Textuelles at Lexicales), § Prononc. et Orth.

French

Etymology

Diminutive form of the name Guillaume ‎(“William”), after the French typecutter Guillaume Le Bé, 1677.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡij.mɛ/
• Rhymes: -ɛ
• Homophone: guillemets

Noun

guillemet m ‎(plural guillemets)

1. quotation mark
2. guillemet

Usage notes

In French typography, a space is put after the opening guillemet and before the closing one. This rule is followed in France and most of the time in Canadian usage but not necessary elsewhere and not necessary on the internet, even on French websites; in Switzerland, no space is required in punctuation.