âme

Etymology

From Middle French ame, amme, from Old French ame, anme, anima, from Latin anima. Compare also Gothic 𐌰𐌷𐌼𐌰 (ahma, “spirit; soul”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɑm/, /am/

• Audio (France, Paris)

  (file)

• Homophone: âmes
• Hyphenation: âme
• Rhymes: -ɑm, -am

Noun

âme f (plural âmes)

1. (religion, philosophy) soul
2. (moral, intellectual centre) soul, heart, mind
3. soul, person

   C'est un village de 800 âmes.

   It's a village of 800 souls.

4. bore (of a cannon)
5. (lutherie) soundpost (of a violin etc.)

Further reading

• “âme” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).