connus

Connus is the masculine plural form of the French past participle connu, used as an adjective to mean "known" or "familiar." It describes masculine plural nouns, while the feminine counterparts are connue (singular) and connues (plural). In common phrases, you may encounter expressions like artistes connus or lieux connus, meaning "well-known artists" or "famous places."

Etymology and origin: Connus derives from the verb connaître, meaning to know. Connaître comes from Old French connoistre, which ultimately traces to Latin cognoscere, “to know.” The form connu with its plural concords to the noun it modifies, reflecting standard French adjective agreement.

Usage and grammar: As an adjective, connus agrees in gender and number with the noun. It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is widely recognized or familiar. Examples include des personnes connues (well-known people) and des lieux connus (famous places). The feminine plural form connues is used when describing feminine or mixed-gender plural nouns.

Other notes: Outside French, connus is not a common English lexical item and is mostly encountered within French texts or discussions of French grammar. It may also appear as a surname or in onomastic contexts in some instances, though such uses are rare and not widely documented.

See also: Connaître, connu, connaissance.