éloigné

Éloigné is a French adjective meaning distant, remote, or far away. It is used to describe physical distance, as in un village éloigné; figurative distance, as in une opinion éloignée de la réalité; and temporal remoteness, as in un souvenir éloigné.

Étymology: The word derives from the verb éloigner, meaning to distance or to move away, which in turn comes from Old French esloigner. The prefix é- reinforces the sense of separation.

Forms: masculine singular éloigné; feminine éloignée; masculine plural éloignés; feminine plural éloignées. As a past participle, éloigné appears in compound tenses and can function adjectivally: un pays éloigné.

Usage: Éloigné is common in both formal and informal registers. It can describe geographic separation and can also convey metaphorical or emotional distance, for example in literary descriptions of characters or ideas. It contrasts with proche or voisin to emphasize a greater degree of separation.

Related terms: éloignement (remoteness, distance), éloigner (to distance), éloignant (present participle or adjective form). Éloigné may also appear in proper nouns or surnames, and occasionally in place names, though it is not primarily a toponym.

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