aîné

Alternative forms

• ainé (since the 1990 spelling reform)

Etymology

From Middle French aisné, from Old French aisné, contraction of Old French ainz (“before”) + né (“born”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /e.ne/, /ɛ.ne/

• audio

  (file)

• Homophone: henné

Adjective

aîné (feminine singular aînée, masculine plural aînés, feminine plural aînées)

1. oldest, elder (sibling)

   Mon frère aîné

   My oldest brother.

Noun

aîné m (plural aînés, feminine aînée)

1. eldest (boy)
2. older brother
3. elder
4. old person

Further reading

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