Pétain

[ pey-tan ]

noun

1. Hen·ri Phi·lippe O·mer [ah, n, -, ree, fee-, leep, aw-, mer], 1856–1951, marshal of France: premier of the Vichy government 1940–44.

Pétain

/ petɛ̃ /

noun

1. PétainHenri Philippe Omer18561951MFrenchMILITARY: generalPOLITICS: statesman Henri Philippe Omer (ɑ̃ri filip ɔmɛr). 1856–1951, French marshal, noted for his victory at Verdun (1916) in World War I and his leadership of the pro-Nazi government of unoccupied France at Vichy (1940–44); imprisoned for treason (1945)

Example Sentences

That evening, General Philippe Pétain arrived to assume command of the French forces.

From Literature

Pétain reorganized the French defenses and took personal command of the artillery; now the Germans became the target of fierce bombardments as they clung to their frontline positions or tried to advance.

From Literature

And as Pétain had ordered, French troops fought to hang on to every yard of territory and counterattacked to regain ground that had been lost.

From Literature

Pétain was not a man to give up.

From Literature

Several thousand soldiers were court-martialed and forty-nine were shot, but for the great majority of the men under his command, Pétain introduced reforms—longer periods of rest, more home leave, and better food.

From Literature