BRETON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Breton mean? 

• BRETON (noun)
  The noun BRETON has 2 senses:

1. a native or inhabitant of Brittany (especially one who speaks the Breton language)

2. a Celtic language of Brittany

  Familiarity information: BRETON used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BRETON (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A native or inhabitant of Brittany (especially one who speaks the Breton language)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("Breton" is a kind of...):

French person; Frenchman; Frenchwoman (a person of French nationality)

Holonyms ("Breton" is a member of...):

Breiz; Bretagne; Brittany (a former province of northwestern France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A Celtic language of Brittany

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("Breton" is a kind of...):

Brittanic; Brythonic (a southern group of Celtic languages)

 Context examples 

From side to side stretched the thin line of the English, lightly armed and quick-footed, while against it stormed and raged the pressing throng of fiery Spaniards and of gallant Bretons.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Uncertain who were their attackers, and unable to tell their English enemies from their newly-arrived Breton allies, the Spanish knights rode wildly hither and thither in aimless fury.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sir Nigel's shield was broken, his crest shorn, his armor cut and smashed, and the vizor torn from his helmet; yet he sprang hither and thither with light foot and ready hand, engaging two Bretons and a Spaniard at the same instant—thrusting, stooping, dashing in, springing out—while Alleyne still fought by his side, stemming with a handful of men the fierce tide which surged up against them.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I come, he shouted in a hoarse, thick voice, with a strong Breton accent, as squire and herald from my master, who is a very valiant pursuivant-of-arms, and a liegeman to the great and powerful monarch, Charles, king of the French.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I have sailed since I was as high as this staff, and I have fought against these Normans and against the Genoese, as well as the Scotch, the Bretons, the Spanish, and the Moors.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)