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From these 31 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list The sixth entry is chronologie maîtresse , and an English reader who takes the second word at face value will make the phrase ridiculous. Maîtresse is the feminine of maître , and standing after a noun it is an adjective: it marks the one that governs, the one everything else is measured against. A floor rests on la maîtresse poutre ; an old tree carries la maîtresse branche ; a card player holds l’atout maître ; and any argument may turn on le maître mot . So the entry names the chronology to which every other series is fitted, which is what the trade calls the master chronology in English as well — the same image, used in the same place. The trap is only in the feminine form. « Mistress » has shrunk in English to a single sense and a single flavour, and no curve can be given it. La maîtresse as a noun does carry that sense in French too, but the commonest thing it means is the primary-school teacher a child talks about at home: la maîtresse a dit . Read the adjective, not the noun, and nothing about the heading is strange.
The words
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Phrase (27)
largeur de cerne ring width Phrase C2 La largeur de cerne se mesure sous la loupe. Ring width is measured under a magnifying glass.
profil de cernes the ring pattern Phrase C2 Le profil de cernes de cette poutre ne ressemble à aucun autre. The ring pattern of this beam resembles no other.
chronologie maîtresse the master chronology Phrase C2 La chronologie maîtresse couvre plusieurs siècles. The master chronology covers several centuries.
courbe de référence the reference curve Phrase C2 La courbe de référence vaut pour une région et une essence. The reference curve holds for one region and one species.
tarière à accroissement the increment borer Phrase C2 La tarière à accroissement prélève une carotte fine. The increment borer takes out a slender core.
dernier cerne sous écorce the last ring under the bark Phrase C2 Le dernier cerne sous écorce est ici conservé. The last ring under the bark has survived here.
date d’abattage the felling date Phrase C2 La date d’abattage se lit à la saison du dernier cerne. The felling date follows from the season of the last ring.
estimation de l’aubier the sapwood estimate Phrase C2 L’estimation de l’aubier donne une fourchette, pas une année. The sapwood estimate gives a range, not a year.
cerne absent a missing ring Phrase C2 Un cerne absent décale toute la série. A missing ring shifts the whole series.
faux cerne a false ring Phrase C2 Un faux cerne se forme après une sécheresse d’été. A false ring forms after a summer drought.
année caractéristique a pointer year Phrase C2 Une année caractéristique se retrouve dans tous les échantillons. A pointer year turns up in every sample.
signal climatique the climate signal Phrase C2 Le signal climatique est plus net près de la limite des arbres. The climate signal is clearer near the tree line.
reconstruction des températures temperature reconstruction Phrase C2 La reconstruction des températures repose sur le bois final. Temperature reconstruction rests on the latewood.
signal de précipitations the precipitation signal Phrase C2 Le signal de précipitations domine dans les stations sèches. The precipitation signal dominates at dry sites.
année repère volcanique a volcanic marker year Phrase C2 Une année repère volcanique laisse un cerne très étroit. A volcanic marker year leaves a very narrow ring.
bois subfossile subfossil wood Phrase C2 Le bois subfossile sort des graviers de la rivière. Subfossil wood comes out of the river gravels.
chêne de tourbière bog oak Phrase C2 Le chêne de tourbière prolonge la série vers le passé. Bog oak carries the series further back.
remploi du bois the reuse of timber Phrase C2 Le remploi du bois trompe qui date la maison par sa charpente. The reuse of timber misleads anyone who dates a house by its roof.
charpente de comble the roof truss Phrase C2 La charpente de comble a livré les meilleurs échantillons. The roof truss yielded the best samples.
panneau peint the painted panel Phrase C2 Le panneau peint se date par la tranche. The painted panel is dated from its cut edge.
datation des instruments the dating of instruments Phrase C2 La datation des instruments se fait sans ouvrir la caisse. The dating of instruments is done without opening the body.
provenance du bois the provenance of the timber Phrase C2 La provenance du bois se déduit de la courbe qui correspond. The provenance of the timber follows from the curve that matches.
calibration du radiocarbone radiocarbon calibration Phrase C2 La calibration du radiocarbone s’appuie sur des cernes datés. Radiocarbon calibration rests on dated rings.
concordance statistique statistical agreement Phrase C2 La concordance statistique ne suffit pas à elle seule. Statistical agreement is not enough on its own.
vérification visuelle de la concordance visual checking of the match Phrase C2 La vérification visuelle de la concordance suit toujours le calcul. Visual checking of the match always follows the calculation.
préparation des échantillons sample preparation Phrase C2 La préparation des échantillons demande une lame très fine. Sample preparation calls for a very fine blade.
prélèvement non destructif non-destructive sampling Phrase C2 Un prélèvement non destructif est exigé sur une œuvre exposée. Non-destructive sampling is required on an exhibited work.
Noun (m) (2)
Grammar for these: Definite article: le, la, les · Indefinite article: un, une
le bois initial the earlywood Noun (m) C2 Le bois initial est plus clair et plus tendre. The earlywood is lighter in colour and softer.
le bois final the latewood Noun (m) C2 Le bois final forme la bande sombre du cerne. The latewood forms the dark band of the ring.
Noun (f) (2)
Grammar for these: Definite article: le, la, les · Indefinite article: un, une
l’interdatation crossdating Noun (f) C2 L’interdatation compare deux séries jusqu’à la coïncidence. Crossdating compares two series until they coincide.
la moelle the pith Noun (f) C2 La moelle marque le centre de la tige. The pith marks the centre of the stem.
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