chrétiennes

Chrétiennes is the feminine plural form of the noun and adjective chrétien in French. It designates women who adhere to Christianity, or, in certain contexts, communities of believing women. The term is used when the explicit feminine dimension of a group is intended to be highlighted, such as in sociological or historical descriptions.

Etymology and linguistic notes: chrétien derives from the Latin Christianus, itself from the Greek christianos, meaning a follower of Christ. In French, the forms chrétien and chrétienne have been part of the vocabulary since the Middle Ages, with chrétiennes appearing regularly in texts that discuss female believers or female-linked religious spaces.

Usage and context: in modern French, chrétiennes can refer to women who belong to Christian communities or to female adherents within a broader Christian context. When a text concerns a mixed-gender audience or group, the masculine form chrétiens is typically used. The feminine form is common in discussions focused on women’s experiences, roles within church communities, liturgical participation, or feminist theological analyses.

See also: chrétien, chrétienne, chrétienté, christianisme.