Peignent

Peignent is a French verb form that functions as the third-person plural present indicative for two distinct verbs: peindre, meaning to paint, and peigner, meaning to comb. Although the two verbs have different meanings and origins, they share the same present-tense endings, producing the identical form ils/elles peignent in writing. In practice, the intended verb is usually clear from context and surrounding words.

In full present tense conjugation, the two verbs share a common stem in the plural: je peins, tu peins, il/elle peint, nous peignons, vous peignez, ils/elles peignent. For peigner, the forms mirror these endings as well (except for semantic differences determined by the verb’s meaning). The spelling and pronunciation of peignent are identical in writing, with the distinction resolved by usage.

Usage and examples illustrate the dual meaning. For peindre (to paint): Ils peignent un portrait. Ils peignent les murs de la maison. For peigner (to comb): Ils se peignent les cheveux. Context and the surrounding words clarify which verb is intended.

Etymology notes: peindre derives from Latin pingere, while peigner is a separate verb meaning to comb or groom. The form peignent thus appears in both lexical entries, underscoring how a single written form can belong to two distinct French verbs.