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ouvrage
/u.vʁaʒ/
work, construction, or book
Ce pont est un grand ouvrage d'ingénierie.
This bridge is a great engineering work.
formal
A work, construction, or structure, especially one of significant size or importance.
L'ouvrage a été achevé en un temps record.
The construction was completed in record time.
Often used in engineering and architecture contexts.
formal
A book, especially a scholarly or technical one.
Il a écrit un ouvrage sur l'histoire médiévale.
He wrote a book on medieval history.
Less common in modern usage but still found in literary contexts.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'ouvrage' depends heavily on the context. In engineering, it refers to a construction, while in literature, it refers to a book.
Gold Rule
Avoid Confusion
Do not confuse 'ouvrage' with 'ouvrier' (worker) or 'ouvrir' (to open).
Word Origin
From Old French 'ovrage', from Latin 'opera', meaning 'work' or 'labor'.
Usage Notes
The term 'ouvrage' can refer to both physical constructions and written works, depending on context. In modern French, it is more commonly used for buildings or engineering projects.
Word Breakdown
ouvr
work
root-age
action or result
suffixDictionnaire Français-Anglais