traîne

Traîne is a French verb meaning to drag, trail, or draw out. It can be used in a literal sense, such as a dress that traînes on the ground, or figuratively, to describe something that is prolonged or tedious. For example, a traînant discussion might be one that goes on for too long. The verb also has various idiomatic expressions, such as "laisser traîner les choses," which means to let things slide or procrastinate.

In certain contexts, "traîne" can refer to the act of dragging something, like a boat being traîné behind another vessel, or a sled being traîné across the snow. The past participle, traîné, is also common, often appearing in phrases like "un temps traîné," meaning drawn-out weather, or "une affaire traînée en longueur," referring to a protracted legal case. The noun form, "traîne," can also denote a train of a dress or a trailing garment. It can also refer to a slow or lagging movement.