exactes

Exactes is the feminine plural form of the French adjective exact, used to describe nouns that are precise, correct, or free from error. It agrees in gender and number with feminine plural nouns, as in mesures exactes (exact measures), données exactes (exact data), and réponses exactes (exact answers). The masculine plural form is exats, and the feminine singular is exacte.

Etymology and development: exactes derives from the Latin exactus, through Old French and into modern French. The term has long been used in ordinary speech as well as in technical and scientific writing to signify accuracy or precision.

Usage and nuance: As with most French adjectives, exactes typically follows the noun in contemporary usage, though certain stylistic contexts may place the adjective before the noun for emphasis. The word carries a clear sense of verifiable accuracy and is closely related to related terms such as exactitude (the quality of being exact) and précision (precision).

Common contexts: exactes is used across domains including science, journalism, education, and everyday language to describe measurements, data, conclusions, dates, or statements that are correct and precise. It is not a standalone noun but a descriptor; when needed as a noun, French would typically use exactitude or précision.

See also: exact, exacte, exats, exactitude, précision.

Note: The form exactes is specifically feminine plural; other gender/number forms of the same root are exact (masculine singular), exacte (feminine singular), and exats (masculine plural).