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canicule
/ka.ni.kyl/
heatwave
La canicule a frappé la ville pendant l'été.
The heatwave hit the city during the summer.
formal
A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, typically lasting several days or weeks, often with high humidity.
Les autorités ont émis des alertes sanitaires à cause de la canicule.
Authorities issued health warnings due to the heatwave.
In French, 'canicule' specifically refers to a heatwave, while in English, 'heatwave' is the more general term.
Collocations
une vague de caniculea heatwavesouffrir de la caniculeto suffer from the heatwave
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
In French, 'canicule' is often used in news reports and official announcements about extreme heat.
Word Origin
From Latin 'canicula,' meaning 'small dog,' referring to the Dog Star (Sirius) whose rising was associated with hot weather in ancient times.
Usage Notes
'Canicule' is more commonly used in formal or meteorological contexts in French. In everyday speech, 'vague de chaleur' is also used.
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais