calque

[ kalk ]

noun

1. a loan translation, especially one resulting from bilingual interference in which the internal structure of a borrowed word or phrase is maintained but its morphemes are replaced by those of the native language, as German halbinsel for peninsula.
2. loanshift.

verb (used with object)

, calqued, cal·quing.

1. to form (a word or phrase) through the process of loan translation.

calque

/ kælk /

noun

1. another word for loan translation

verb

1. tr another word for calk 3

Word History and Origins

Origin of calque¹

1655–65; < French, noun derivative of calquer to copy, base on < Italian calcare to trace over, tread < Latin: to trample

Word History and Origins

Origin of calque¹

C20: from French: a tracing, from calquer, from Latin calcāre to tread

Example Sentences

For example, did you know the difference between a loanword and a calque?

From Slate

By the way, I knew the difference between a loanword and a calque and the Defiant Ones, but not what was going on in the car with Giardia.

From Slate

Calk, Calque, kawk, v.t. to chalk, as the back of a drawing, &c., in order to transfer it, to copy by tracing.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

This done, one of the knights closed his visor, and the other tried to follow his example, but the calque, dented from the effects of a blow, refused to allow the visor to descend.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing short of the breaking of the laces of the Frenchman's calque would release the man, and even then his unprotected head would be pierced by a ready arrow.

From Project Gutenberg