The AI-powered English dictionary
plural napoleons
(historical numismatics, slang) The franc germinal: a 20-franc gold coin issued under Napoleon I of France.
(historical numismatics, slang) Other subsequent 20-franc coins, notes, or values. quotations
We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources, and borrowed, for that purpose, thirty thousand napoleons from the Bank of France.
1891, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Red-Headed League, Norton, published 2005, page 67
(usually admiringly derogatory) A person resembling Napoleon Bonaparte, (usually) in having come to dominate an area or sphere of activity through ruthlessness or illegality as well as surpassing ability. quotations examples
He [sc. James Moriarty] is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city [sc. London]. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker.
1894, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, page 260
He [sc. McKinley] has been called the Napoleon of protection, as other men have been called Napoleons of finance.
1896, J.S. Ogilvie, The Life and Speeches of William McKinley
1997, Ben Macintyre, The Napoleon of Crime: The Life and Times of Adam Worth, Master Thief
(fashion, obsolete) Clipping of Napoleon boot: a form of topboot worn by officers during the Napoleonic Wars. quotations
Always an eloquent speaker, Polk became known as the Napoleon of the stump.
2011, Robert Morgan, Lions of the West:
(historical weaponry) Clipping of Napoleon gun: a 12-pounder cannon first used by the Second French Empire.
(card games, uncountable) A 19th-century five-card trick-taking game simplified from euchre. examples
(card games, uncountable) Clipping of double napoleon: a form of patience. examples
(rare UK horse racing slang, obsolete) Alternative form of nap: a horse to go nap on, a sure thing, a certain winner; a prediction of such a horse; a bet on such a horse.
Clipping of Napoleon bigarreau: a variety of the white-fleshed bigarreau cherry; a variety of cherry tree bearing such fruit. examples
(food, originally US slang) Clipping of Napoleon cake: another name for a millefeuille pastry. quotations
Fascinated, Miss Manvers thrust aside a garnished plate, took a gulp of the decoction called coffee, and attacked her napoleon.
1914, Louis Joseph Vance, “Anarchy”, in Nobody, New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, published 1915, page 17
(rare) Clipping of Napoleon brandy: any excellent brandy; a serving of such a brandy.
Short for Napoleon slice. examples