Farouche

Definition: Sullen, shy; antisocial and withdrawn; fierce and wildly passionate.

Pronunciation: fah-ROOSH

Origin:

Français!

Directly from Old French’s “faroche”, which is an alteration of Modern Latin’s “forasche” pulled from Old Latin’s “forasticus” (belonging outside). “Forasticus” has the prefix/root foras-, a bound morpheme developed for words with meanings relative to “out of doors”.

(For additional information, and to cultivate a better grasp of understanding the “exterior” intention of words derived from the foras- morpheme, I suggest looking up the related etymologies of the words Foreign, Foray, and Forage. Just for frame of reference.)

Why this word?

I like how it sounds. It hisses against the teeth and rolls over the top of the tongue in a very pleasing way. And I think it’s interesting how the two different meanings for this term are almost exactly opposite behaviors. (Sounds a lot like Sherlock Holmes’s entire personality in one word, really.)

How would you use farouche in a sentence?

Example: “He stared down into his party cup with a sullen sort of pouting grimace; farouche and icily antisocial towards all whom passed and wished him a happy holiday.”