Secoue

Secoue is a form of the French verb secouer, which means to shake, shake up, or jolts. Depending on the context, secoue can be either the third-person singular present indicative (il secoue, elle secoue) or the second-person singular imperative (Secoue !). As an imperative, it is used to give a direct command to someone to shake something or to wake oneself or to spur action. The verb secouer is transitive and commonly appears with a direct object, such as Secoue le tapis (shake the rug) or Secoue les branches (shake the branches).

Etymology and forms: Secouer derives from Old French secouer, itself from the Latin excūtere, meaning to shake out or strike off. The meaning has broadened over time to include both physical shaking and figurative jolting or stirring.

Usage: In literal terms, secouer describes shaking or rattling physical objects. In figurative senses, it can mean to disturb or shock someone emotionally or to motivate action, as in a speech that secoue the audience. The past participle is secoué and the present participle secouant; reflexive usage is se secouer, as in Secoue-toi to urge someone to wake up or to pull themselves together.

Examples: Le vent secoue les branches. Elle a secoué les vêtements pour les faire sécher. Cette nouvelle m’a secoué profondément. Secoue-toi et avance malgré tout. On peut aussi dire Secouez-vous, when addressing multiple people.

See also: secouer, se secouer, secouement.