napoleon

Meaning

Noun

• The franc germinal: a 20-franc gold coin issued under Napoleon.
• Other subsequent 20-franc coins, notes, or values.
• A person resembling Napoleon Bonaparte, in having come to dominate an area or sphere of activity through ruthlessness or illegality as well as surpassing ability.
• Short form of Napoleon boot: a form of topboot worn by officers during the Napoleonic Wars.
• Short form of Napoleon gun: a 12-pounder cannon first used by the Second French Empire.
• A 19th-century five-card trick-taking game simplified from euchre.
• Short form of double napoleon: a form of patience.
• Alternative of nap: a horse to go nap on, a sure thing, a certain winner; a prediction of such a horse; a bet on such a horse.
• Short form of Napoleon bigarreau: a variety of the white-fleshed bigarreau cherry; a variety of cherry tree bearing such fruit.
• Short form of Napoleon cake: another name for a millefeuille pastry.
• Short form of Napoleon brandy: any excellent brandy; a serving of such a brandy.
• A multi-layered stacked pastry

Related

Similar words

• louis, louis d'or, franc germinal
• custard slice, vanilla slice, mille-feuille, millefeuille

Narrower meaning words

• strawberry napoleon
• raspberry napoleon
• berry napoleon

Origin

• Borrowed from French Napoléon ("given name, usually in reference to {{w")}}. 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, in reference to Napoleon III.