balai

Signification

1. broom
2. broomstick flown by witches
3. (colloquial) the last bus or train (at night)
4. tail (of a bird of prey)
5. brush (electrical contact)
6. blade (of windscreen wiper)
7. (slang) year (used in referring to someone’s age)

Genre

♂️ Masculin

Prononcé comme (IPA)

/ba.lɛ/

Étymologie

Inherited from Old French balai, from ealier balain (“bundle of broom”, 12th c.), ultimately from Proto-Celtic *banatlo- (“broom plant”). It is uncertain whether the Celtic word passed into French through a Gaulish *balano- or rather through Middle Breton balain, balazn, from Old Breton balan. The latter appears more likely.