libellule

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dragonfly, damselfly, dragonfly charge, heraldic dragonfly
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/li.be.lyl/
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A water-loving odonate insect known for transparent wings and darting flight, with a specialized heraldic use for the same animal as a charge.
Practice using libellule in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Une libellule s'est posée sur la tige d'un roseau.
    A dragonfly landed on the stem of a reed.
  • On distingue souvent les libellules des demoiselles par la position de leurs ailes au repos.
    Dragonflies are often distinguished from damselflies by the position of their wings at rest.
  • La notice héraldique nomme la libellule parmi les meubles animaux.
    The heraldic note names the dragonfly among the animal charges.
  • Le blason porte une libellule d'or sur fond d'azur.
    The coat of arms bears a gold dragonfly on an azure field.
  • Les naturalistes observent les libellules pour suivre la santé des zones humides.
    Naturalists observe dragonflies to monitor the health of wetlands.

Similar words

pisse-z-yeux
demoiselle
meuble héraldique
figure héraldique

Meanings

Dragonfly or damselfly

noun
nature
neutral
A slender odonate insect that lives around water, with large transparent veined wings and an agile, often darting flight.

Examples

  • Une libellule bleue effleure les joncs au bord de l'étang.
    A blue dragonfly skims the reeds at the edge of the pond.
  • Les libellules chassent les moustiques au-dessus de la mare.
    The dragonflies hunt mosquitoes above the pond.
  • La larve de libellule vit dans l'eau avant de devenir adulte.
    The dragonfly larva lives in water before becoming an adult.
  • Une libellule s'est posée sur la tige d'un roseau.
    A dragonfly landed on the stem of a reed.
  • Les naturalistes observent les libellules pour suivre la santé des zones humides.
    Naturalists observe dragonflies to monitor the health of wetlands.
  • On distingue souvent les libellules des demoiselles par la position de leurs ailes au repos.
    Dragonflies are often distinguished from damselflies by the position of their wings at rest.

Similar words

demoiselle
pisse-z-yeux

Heraldic dragonfly

noun
heraldry
technical
A stylized dragonfly used as a charge or animal figure on a coat of arms.

Examples

  • Le blason porte une libellule d'or sur fond d'azur.
    The coat of arms bears a gold dragonfly on an azure field.
  • La libellule figure dans les armoiries de la commune.
    The dragonfly appears in the town coat of arms.
  • Le héraut décrit la libellule avec les ailes étendues.
    The herald describes the dragonfly with outspread wings.
  • Une libellule stylisée apparaît au centre de l'écu.
    A stylized dragonfly appears in the center of the shield.
  • Dans ce blason, la libellule rappelle les marais voisins.
    In this coat of arms, the dragonfly recalls the nearby marshes.
  • La notice héraldique nomme la libellule parmi les meubles animaux.
    The heraldic note names the dragonfly among the animal charges.

Similar words

meuble héraldique
figure héraldique

Etymology

Borrowed from scientific Latin libellula, from Latin libella, meaning a small level, in reference to the insect’s level gliding flight.

FAQ

What does libellule mean?

Libellule usually means a dragonfly, and in broad French use it can also cover damselflies and other odonates.

How is libellule pronounced?

Libellule is pronounced /li.be.lyl/ in standard French.

Is libellule masculine or feminine?

Libellule is feminine, so French says une libellule and la libellule.

Is a libellule the same as a demoiselle?

Demoiselle can be a popular synonym, but specialists often use it for damselflies while libellule often points to dragonflies.

Can libellule mean something in heraldry?

Yes. In heraldry, libellule can name a dragonfly-shaped charge on a coat of arms.

What is the plural of libellule?

The plural is libellules.

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