dénouons

Dénouons is the first person plural present indicative form of the French verb dénouer, meaning to untie or unravel. It also functions as the inclusive imperative for the verb in the sense of “let us untie” or “let us unravel.” In ordinary usage, dénouer describes physically loosening knots or cords, and metaphorically it can refer to disentangling problems, questions, or plots.

Etymology and conjugation: dénouer comes from Old French denouer, formed from de- (unbind) and nouer (to knot). The verb follows a regular -er conjugation pattern, with the present tense forms: je dénoue, tu dénoues, il dénoue, nous dénouons, vous dénouez, ils dénouent; past participle dénoué. The form dénouons is therefore a standard grammatical instance rather than a separate lexical entry.

Usage and nuance: dénouer is used both for concrete actions (dénouer a rope, un cordon) and for figurative purposes (dénouer une affaire, dénouer une intrigue). In literary or rhetorical contexts, dénouer may lead to the resolution or clearing up of complications, though the noun dénouement is the common term for the ending or resolution of a narrative, not the verb form. Dénouons, as a form, appears in dialogue or instructional or expositional writing to indicate a collective action.

See also: dénouement, dénouer, nœud, intrigue.