Definition

Noun: 1. The variety of Old French (Norman) spoken and used in England after the Norman Conquest (1066): It refers specifically to the dialect of French that developed in England during the medieval period, used by the ruling and administrative classes alongside Latin and Middle English.

Usage

• Anglo-Norman is used as a historical linguistic term to describe the language of law, government, literature, and high society in England from the 11th to the 15th centuries.
• It is typically used attributively (as an adjective) to modify nouns like , , , or .

Examples

• Many legal terms in modern English, such as and , have their origins in Anglo-Norman.
• The Anglo-Norman aristocracy maintained close ties with Normandy for generations.
• Scholars study Anglo-Norman texts to understand the linguistic and cultural landscape of medieval England.

Advanced Usage

• Anglo-Norman French: A more precise term often used synonymously with .
• The Anglo-Norman realm: Refers to the territories in England and Normandy ruled by the Norman and Plantagenet kings.

Variants and Related Words

• Anglo-Norman (adjective): Pertaining to this language or the period of its use. (e.g., ).
• Anglo-French: A term sometimes used interchangeably with , though it can have a broader meaning encompassing later French influences in England.
• Law French: The specialized form of Anglo-Norman used in English courts, which persisted in legal use long after the language died out in common speech.

Synonyms

• Anglo-French (in certain contexts)
• Norman French (in the English context)

Notes on Meaning

• Anglo-Norman is distinct from the Central French (Francien) dialect that became standard in France. It retained unique Norman features and incorporated influences from English and Latin.
• It is not a term for a person. A person from this period would be called a or an , but the term itself refers to the language.

Noun

1. the French (Norman) language used in medieval England