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Glite Dictionary
Anglo-French language

Anglo-French language

9.9
A form of French used for law and government in England in the Middle Ages
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : idioma anglofrancés
  • After the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-French language became the language of the English court and administration.

Examples

  • Legal documents in medieval England were often written in Anglo-French language.

  • The influence of the Anglo-French language can still be seen in modern English legal terms.

  • The Anglo-French language was used in legal documents.

  • Many legal terms derive from the Anglo-French language.

  • After the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-French language became the language of the English court and administration.

  • Legal documents in medieval England were often written in Anglo-French language.

  • The influence of the Anglo-French language can still be seen in modern English legal terms.

Synonyms

Anglo-French
vsAnglo-French language
  • Specialized
9.9

The French spoken in England in the Middle Ages by rulers and lawyers

is identical in meaning but adds the word language in form
Anglo-Norman language
vsAnglo-French language
  • Specialized
9.9

A form of Norman French used in England in the Middle Ages by rulers, courts, and writers

focuses on legal and administrative use rather than broad literary or social use
Anglo-Norman
vsAnglo-French language
  • Specialized
9.9

A form of Norman French used in England from the 11th to the 15th centuries

is used for legal and administrative purposes rather than merely naming a time period

Surface Forms

Anglo-French language singular
Anglo-French languages plural

Morphology

Anglo-French + language

A B1 learner who knows the constituents can reasonably infer that "Anglo-French language" refers to a language related to both Anglo (English) and French — the compound structure and the noun 'language' make the basic idea transparent. However, the precise historical sense (a specific medieval Norman French variety used for legal/administrative purposes in England) is specialized and not fully predictable from the parts, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Anglo-French language comes from the mix of Anglo (English) and French after the Norman rulers came to England. It was the kind of French they spoke in courts and official life, so many English 'legal' and 'official' words come from that language.