défendus

Défendus is the plural masculine form of the French adjective défendu, meaning prohibited or forbidden. It is used to describe actions, objects, or places that are not allowed. As the past participle of the verb défendre, défendu agrees with the noun it modifies; feminine forms are défendue and défendues (for feminine plural).

In usage, défendus commonly appears in expressions related to prohibition or rules. For example, there are phrases such as "les gestes défendus" (the prohibited gestures) or "acte défendu" (a prohibited act). A typical sentence is "Il est défendu de fumer," meaning it is forbidden to smoke. Signs may use the singular form, as in "Défendu d'entrer" to indicate entry is not allowed. In legal, administrative, and formal writing, défendu is a conventional way to communicate prohibitions, though in everyday language "interdit" is more frequently used.

Etymologically, défendu derives from the verb défendre, which comes from Latin defendere, meaning to ward off or to prohibit. The word has long been used in French to express rules, regulations, and moral or social prohibitions. In contemporary usage, défendus can also appear in literary or rhetorical contexts to evoke formality or emphasis, and it may occur as part of titles or expressions referring to prohibitions in cultural works, though it does not designate a single canonical referent.

See also: interdit, mots défendus, avertissement.