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napoleon

Pronunciation: /nəˈpəʊlɪən/

The English word “napoleon” has 4 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. The franc germinal: a 20-franc gold coin issued under Napoleon I of France.
  2. Other subsequent 20-franc coins, notes, or values.
  3. A person resembling Napoleon Bonaparte, (usually) in having come to dominate an area or sphere of activity through ruthlessness or illegality as well as surpassing ability.
  4. A 19th-century five-card trick-taking game simplified from euchre.

Etymology

Borrowed from French Napoléon (“a given name, usually in reference to Napoleon Bonaparte”). In reference to coins, via French napoléon (“(slang) a coin that originally had the appearance of Napoleon's face in the obverse”). In reference to guns and possibly cards, a reference to Napoleon III.

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