Added 9 October 2026
napoleon
/nəˈpəʊlɪən/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about napoleon at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- The franc germinal: a 20-franc gold coin issued under Napoleon I of France.
- Other subsequent 20-franc coins, notes, or values.
- 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.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)