napoleon

Alternative forms

• Napoleon

Etymology

Borrowed from French Napoléon (“given name, usually in reference to Napoleon Bonaparte”). In reference to coins, via French napoléon (“(slang) a coin that originally had the appearance of Napoleon's face in the obverse”).^[1] In reference to guns and possibly cards, in reference to Napoleon III.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /nəˈpəʊlɪən/
• (US) IPA^(key): /nəˈpoʊli.ən/, /nəˈpoʊljn/, /nəˈpoʊljən/

  Rhymes: -əʊliən

Noun

napoleon (plural napoleons)

1. (historical numismatics, slang) The franc germinal: a 20-franc gold coin issued under Napoleon.
2. (historical numismatics, slang) Other subsequent 20-franc coins, notes, or values.
   • 1891, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Red-Headed League (Norton 2005 p.67)

     We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources, and borrowed, for that purpose, thirty thousand napoleons from the Bank of France.

3. (usually admiringly pejorative) A person resembling Napoleon Bonaparte, (usually) in having come to dominate an area or sphere of activity through ruthlessness or illegality as well as surpassing ability.
   • 1894, Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, p. 260:

     He [sc. James Moriarty] is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city [sc. London]. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker.

   • 1896, J.S. Ogilvie, The Life and Speeches of William McKinley:

     He [sc. McKinley] has been called the Napoleon of protection, as other men have been called Napoleons of finance.

   • 1997, Ben Macintyre, The Napoleon of Crime: The Life and Times of Adam Worth, Master Thief.
4. (fashion, obsolete) Clipping of Napoleon boot: a form of topboot worn by officers during the Napoleonic Wars.
   • 2011, Robert Morgan, Lions of the West:

     Always an eloquent speaker, Polk became known as the Napoleon of the stump.

5. (historical weaponry) Clipping of Napoleon gun: a 12-pounder cannon first used by the Second French Empire.
6. (card games, uncountable) A 19th-century five-card trick-taking game simplified from euchre.
7. (card games, uncountable) Clipping of double napoleon: a form of patience.
8. (rare Britain horse racing slang, obsolete) Alternative form of nap: a horse to go nap on, a sure thing, a certain winner; a prediction of such a horse; a bet on such a horse.
9. Clipping of Napoleon bigarreau: a variety of the white-fleshed bigarreau cherry; a variety of cherry tree bearing such fruit.
10. (food, originally US slang) Clipping of Napoleon cake: another name for a millefeuille pastry.
11. (alcohol, rare) Clipping of Napoleon brandy: any excellent brandy; a serving of such a brandy.
12. (pastries) A multi-layered stacked pastry

References