Definition

1. 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

1. 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)