rebroussier

French

Alternative forms

• reboussier, réboussier, reboussaïre

Etymology

Analysable as rebrousser +‎ -ier, but said to be from Occitan rebroussiè (“churlish, surly; the opposite to others”), from Latin reburrus (“with bristling hair”). Compare à rebours and à rebrousse-poil, both ultimately from the same Latin word.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʁə.bʁu.sje/

Noun

rebroussier m (plural rebroussiers, feminine rebroussière) (Meridional French, especially Nîmes)

1. rebel, dissenter, contrarian, naysayer

Adjective

rebroussier (feminine rebroussière, masculine plural rebroussiers, feminine plural rebroussières) (Meridional French, especially Nîmes)

1. surly, churlish
2. rebellious, contrary