Dreyfus
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A historical figure: Alfred Dreyfus was a French army officer whose wrongful conviction for treason in 1894 became a major political scandal, known as the Dreyfus Affair, which exposed deep anti-Semitism in French society and divided the nation. He was eventually exonerated in 1906.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- The trial of Dreyfus captivated and divided France for over a decade.
- Many writers and intellectuals, like Émile Zola, campaigned for the release of Dreyfus.
Advanced Usage
"Dreyfusard": A supporter of Alfred Dreyfus during the Affair.
- He was a committed Dreyfusard who wrote articles defending the officer's innocence.
"Dreyfus Affair" / "Dreyfus Case": The term for the entire political scandal surrounding his conviction and its aftermath.
- The Dreyfus Affair is a pivotal event in the history of modern France and the fight against injustice.
Variants and Related Words
- Dreyfusard (noun): A person who supported Alfred Dreyfus during the Affair.
- Anti-Dreyfusard (noun): A person who opposed Alfred Dreyfus or believed in his guilt during the Affair.
Synonyms
- The wrongly accused officer: A descriptive synonym referencing his historical role.
- The central figure of the Affair: A phrase describing his importance in the event.
Related Phrases
- "J'accuse...!": The famous open letter by Émile Zola defending Dreyfus, whose title has become an idiom for a bold accusation.
- His article was a modern "J'accuse...!" in defense of the unjustly imprisoned.
Related Idioms
- A Dreyfus-like case: Used to describe a modern instance of wrongful conviction or scandal that divides public opinion, especially one involving prejudice.
- The journalist described the political trial as a Dreyfus-like case for the 21st century.
Noun
- French army officer of Jewish descent whose false imprisonment for treason in 1894 raised issues of anti-Semitism that dominated French politics until his release in 1906 (1859-1935)