As you explore the online indexes and censuses related to the French Revolution’s death sentences, you will find a variety of French phrases and words prominently featured. Delving into these French phrases and words reveals their significance in historical documentation. The various charges and crimes documented during this period often rely on specific French phrases and words for context. These French phrases and words offer critical insights into understanding the context of the document you’re reading. I’ve provided some of those terms along with their simple definitions.
| père | father | comme | as |
| l’aine | the oldest son | convaincu | convinced |
| cadet | the youngest son | dit/dite | also know as |
| jeune | young, junior, youth | ci-devant | from before, former |
| fils | son | séante | court assembly |
| fille majeur | daughter/girl of legal age | d’arrêt | arrest. warrant |
| femme | wife | detenu | detained |
| veuve | widow | faux | false, fake |
| complice | accomplice | événement | event, occasion |
| peine | pain |
Phrases to Understand
| exècuted avec une chemise rouge | (convicted assassins) executed in a red shirt or similar piece of red clothing |
| mis hors la loi | outlawed, outlaw |
| de fers | many meanings, but in this context, it means “iron” most likely ‘in chains” |
| où il étoit dentenu | where he was detained |
Brief Meaning of Charges and Crimes
| brigand | an armed robber, member of a band of Brigands | ||
| (m)conspirateur/conspiratrice (f) | man or woman one who conspires with others to form a plot | ||
| fédéraliste (féderé) | a volunteer soldier of the French National Guard | ||
| prévaricateur | a corrupt official | ||
| émigré | fleeing the country | ||
| réfractaire | strong opposition to the law | ||
| contre-révolutionaire | counter-revolution; fighting against the emerging French republic | ||
| faux-assignats | counterfeit money |
Meanings of Punishment
| condamnés à morte | condemned to death |
| condamnés à la deportation | condemned to exile |
| condamnés à la detention | condemned to prison (for a period of months or years) |