conges

conges — noun

1. formal permission given by a person in authority that allows someone to leave a

1.名詞C2
釋義

formal permission given by a person in authority that allows someone to leave a place, position, or duty

例句

The emperor granted Tuan's conge after the court session ended.

grant + conge: formal permission from a ruler

Without an official conge from the captain, no sailor could go ashore.

同義詞
  • leave

    common modern word; less formal, used in everyday contexts

  • permission

    broader in meaning, covers any authorization, not just departure

反義詞
  • detention

    being kept in place against one's will

文法句型

grant + conge

receive + conge

用法筆記

Only used in historical or literary contexts describing royal courts, military commands, or other hierarchical settings. In modern English, 'leave' or 'permission' replaces this word.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher gave me a conge to go to the bathroom.
✅The teacher gave me permission to go to the bathroom.
💡'conge' is not used in everyday modern settings; it belongs only to formal historical contexts.

2. the act of forcing someone to leave a job or role, often in a sudden or disrespe

2.名詞C2
釋義

the act of forcing someone to leave a job or role, often in a sudden or disrespectful way

例句

The minister's conge arrived without any warning from the palace.

one's conge arrives: dismissal is delivered

After the failed campaign, General Hassan was given a sudden conge.

given a conge: dismissed from position

同義詞
  • dismissal

    standard modern term; neutral in register

  • firing

    informal; common in everyday speech

  • sacking

    British informal; abrupt termination

反義詞

文法句型

give + [person] + conge

receive + conge

用法筆記

Distinguish from Sense 1 (PERMISSION TO LEAVE): Sense 1 is a requested or granted permission to depart voluntarily; Sense 2 is an unwelcome, forced dismissal imposed by someone with authority. The context of the sentence — voluntary departure versus involuntary removal — determines which sense is intended.

常見錯誤

❌I quit my job and gave my boss a conge.
✅I quit my job and handed in my resignation.
💡'conge' in this sense means being fired, not resigning. To receive a conge is to be dismissed against your will.

3. a formal bow performed as a gesture of respect, especially when greeting or leav

3.名詞C2
釋義

a formal bow performed as a gesture of respect, especially when greeting or leaving someone of higher status

例句

Tamar made a deep conge before leaving the royal chamber.

make a conge: perform a formal bow

The young page practiced his conge every morning in front of the mirror.

同義詞
  • bow

    the common modern word; used in all contexts

  • obeisance

    formal; implies submission or deep respect

  • curtsy

    specific to women or girls performing a bending gesture

文法句型

make + a + conge

offer + a + conge

用法筆記

Commonly paired with 'make' or 'offer.' A conge in this sense is more elaborate than a simple nod — it implies a full, formal bending of the body. Found mostly in descriptions of European royal court etiquette.

常見錯誤

❌He gave a quick conge and sat down.
✅He gave a quick bow and sat down.
💡'conge' implies a slow, formal, ceremonial bow, not a casual or quick movement.

4. an act or expression of saying goodbye to someone, especially in a formal or cer

4.名詞C2
釋義

an act or expression of saying goodbye to someone, especially in a formal or ceremonial way

例句

The old friends exchanged congés at the station before the train departed.

exchange congés: say goodbye to each other formally

Amelia bid her conge to the household and stepped into the waiting carriage.

bid one's conge: formally say farewell

同義詞
  • farewell

    formal but still current in modern English; less archaic than conge

  • goodbye

    everyday word used in all situations

  • leave-taking

    literary; describes the action of departing with ceremony

反義詞
  • greeting

    the act of welcoming rather than parting

文法句型

bid + one's + conge

exchange + congés

make + one's + congés

用法筆記

Often appears in the plural 'congés' even when referring to a single farewell event, following the French convention. The phrase 'bid one's conge' is the most common fixed expression for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌I said my congés to my friend after lunch.
✅I said goodbye to my friend after lunch.
💡'conge' is too formal and archaic for casual or everyday settings. Reserve it for literary or historical descriptions.

5. a curved, inward-facing decorative strip used in architecture where two surfaces

5.名詞
釋義

a curved, inward-facing decorative strip used in architecture where two surfaces meet, such as between a column and a wall or a wall and a ceiling

例句

The stonemason carved a smooth conge where the pillar met the wall.

carve a conge: shape the molding in stone

Joon studied the elegant conge that ran along the temple's marble base.

同義詞
  • concave molding

    descriptive; more transparent in meaning to non-specialists

  • hollow molding

    another descriptive term for the same architectural feature

反義詞
  • ovolo

    a convex molding that curves outward

文法句型

[article] + conge + of + [material]

用法筆記

This is the only sense still used in modern professional or academic contexts, specifically in architecture, art history, and heritage conservation. The alternative French spelling 'congé' is also common in architectural writing.

常見錯誤

❌The conge on the wall stuck out like a shelf.
✅The conge on the wall curved inward like a shallow groove.
💡A conge is concave (curving inward), not convex (sticking outward). The opposite shape is called an 'ovolo' or 'echinus.'