From the feminine form of the old adjective punais, meaning foul-smelling. The insect sense is recorded from the thirteenth century, the pin from the nineteenth, and the exclamation from the twentieth.
From the feminine form of the old adjective punais, meaning foul-smelling. The insect sense is recorded from the thirteenth century, the pin from the nineteenth, and the exclamation from the twentieth.
What does punaise mean?
Punaise can name a bug or a thumbtack, insult a nasty person, or work as a mild exclamation.
Is punaise masculine or feminine?
The noun punaise is feminine, so French uses une punaise and la punaise.
What does punaise ! express?
Punaise ! informally expresses surprise, annoyance, pain, or disappointment without using a stronger swear word.
Does punaise mean bedbug?
Yes. Punaise de lit is the usual French term for a bedbug, while punaise also covers other true bugs.
Can punaise mean thumbtack?
Yes. A punaise is also a short broad-headed pin used to fasten paper.
How is punaise pronounced?
Punaise is pronounced /py.nɛz/ in standard metropolitan French.