dépeignais

"Dépeignais" is the first-person singular imperfect indicative form of the French verb *dépeigner*, which means "to comb out" or "to untangle." The imperfect tense is used to describe ongoing actions in the past or to set a scene, often conveying a habitual or continuous action.

The verb *dépeigner* itself is derived from the prefix *dé-*, indicating removal or reversal, and the verb *peigner*, meaning "to comb." Thus, *dépeigner* refers to the process of removing tangles or knots from hair, often using a comb. This action can be performed manually or with the aid of tools like wide-tooth combs or detangling sprays.

In literary or poetic contexts, *dépeigner* may be used metaphorically to describe untangling complex ideas, emotions, or situations. The imperfect form, *dépeignais*, suggests that the action was part of a larger, ongoing narrative or routine in the past.

Grammatically, the imperfect tense is formed by taking the stem of the verb and adding the imperfect endings: *-ais*, *-ais*, *-ait*, *-ions*, *-iez*, *-aient*. For *dépeigner*, the stem is *dépeign-*, so the first-person singular imperfect form is *dépeignais*.

This verb is commonly used in everyday language to describe grooming routines, particularly in contexts involving hair care. It is also found in various literary works to evoke a sense of time and habitual behavior in the past.