NOTRE Meaning and
Definition
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Notre is a French word that functions as a determiner and stands for the possessive pronoun "our" in English. It is derived from the Old French word "nostre," which ultimately comes from the Latin word "noster."
Used to indicate ownership or association, Notre signifies that something belongs to "us" or is related to a group that includes the speaker and other people. It is a plural form, indicating multiple possessors. For example, in the phrase "notre voiture" (our car), "notre" denotes that the car is collectively owned by the speaker and others. Similarly, in the sentence "Notre équipe a gagné" (Our team won), "notre" shows that the victory belongs to the speaker and the rest of the team.
The word Notre agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. If the noun is feminine singular, the form changes to "notre" (e.g., notre maison - our house). For a masculine plural noun, it becomes "nos" (e.g., nos amis - our friends).
In French, the use of possessive determiners like Notre helps indicate ownership and establish relationships. It allows speakers to express their connection to an object, person, or group, emphasizing collective ownership and shared experiences.
Etymology of NOTRE
The word Notre comes from the Latin phrase noster meaning our or belonging to us. In the context of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Notre-Dame translates to Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary, to whom the cathedral is dedicated. Notre is the possessive form of notre, indicating possession by us or our.
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