Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » calque

calque

(kalk)

noun

a borrowing by which a specialized meaning of a word or phrase in one language is transferred to another language by a literal translation of each of the individual elements (Ex.: masterpiece, from German meisterstück)

Origin: Fr, an imitation, tracing < calquer, to trace < It calcare, to press, trample < L, to tread: see caulk

See calque in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

See loan translation.

Origin:

Origin: French

Origin: , from calquer, to trace, copy

Origin: , from Italian calcare, to press

Origin: , from Latin calcāre, to tread on

Origin: , from calx, heel

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD

» more results...