Panache

Panache

Panache is a word of French origin that carries the connotation of a flamboyant manner and reckless courage.

The literal meaning of the word is a plume, such as is worn on a hat or a helmet, but the reference is to King Henri IV of France. Pleasure-loving and cynical, but a brave military leader, who is the best-loved of the kings of France, he was famed for wearing a striking white plume in his helmet, and for his war-cry "Follow my white plume!" (Fr. "Ralliez-vous à mon panache blanc").

"Cyrano de Bergerac"

The epitome of panache and the reason for its establishment as a virtue, is Rostand's depiction of Cyrano de Bergerac, in his play of that name. (Prior to Rostand, panache was not necessarily a good thing, and was seen by some as a suspect quality).

Panache is referred to explicitly at two points in the play, but is implicit throughout: For example, Cyrano's challenges to Montfleury, Valvert, and at one point, the whole audience, at the theatre (Act I) and his nonchalant surrender of a month's salary to pay for the damages; his duel with a hundred footpads at the Porte de Nesle,(Act II) and his dismissal of the exploit when talking to Roxanne ("I've been much braver since then"); his crossing the Spanish lines daily to deliver Roxanne's letters (Act IV); and his leaving his death-bed in order to keep his appointment with her in Act V.

The explicit references bring in the double meaning: First, in Act IV, when sparring with De Guiche over the loss of his (de Guiche's) white sash; " I hardly think King Henry would have doffed his white panache in any danger" : and finally, Cyrano's last words " ... yet there is something still that will always be mine, and when I go to God's presence, there I'll doff it and sweep the heavenly pavement with a gesture — something I'll take unstained out of this world ... my panache ".

Current use

Panache is now used to describe someone who has a dashing confidence of style, or shows a certain flamboyance and courage, and is a familiar word now in English. Its meaning has also been extended to include anything capable of displaying such attributes — for example, various food dishes.Fact|date=February 2008

References

*"Cyrano de Bergerac" (Penguin translation by Carol Clark) ISBN-13 978-0-140-44968-6


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  • panache — [ panaʃ ] n. m. • 1522; pennache XVe; it. pennacchio 1 ♦ Faisceau de plumes serrées à la base et flottantes en haut, qui sert à orner une coiffure, un dais. ⇒ aigrette, plumet. Orné d un panache. ⇒ empanaché. Le panache blanc d Henri IV. ♢ Fig.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • panaché — panache [ panaʃ ] n. m. • 1522; pennache XVe; it. pennacchio 1 ♦ Faisceau de plumes serrées à la base et flottantes en haut, qui sert à orner une coiffure, un dais. ⇒ aigrette, plumet. Orné d un panache. ⇒ empanaché. Le panache blanc d Henri IV.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • panaché — panaché, ée (pa na ché, chée) adj. 1°   Orné d un panache. Casque panaché.    Oiseau panaché, oiseau qui a une aigrette.    Substantivement. Homme paré d un panache. •   Pourvu que ce soit pour tuer les coquins de riches, d accapareurs, ou de… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Panache — Pa*nache , n. [F., fr. L. penna a feather. See {Pen} a feather.] 1. A plume or bunch of feathers, esp. such a bunch worn on the helmet; any military plume, or ornamental group of feathers. [1913 Webster] A panache of variegated plumes. Prescott.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Panache — (franz., spr. āsch ), Helmbusch, Federbusch; davon panaschieren, buntstreifig machen (wie die Farben eines Federbusches); Panaché, panaschiertes Eis, buntstreifiges Gefrornes aus verschiedenen Fruchtsäften; Panaschierung der Pflanzen, s.… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • panaché — s. m. O mesmo que panachê.   ‣ Etimologia: palavra francesa …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

  • panachê — s. m. Bebida composta de cerveja misturada com gasosa ou limonada.   ‣ Etimologia: francês panaché …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

  • panaché — sustantivo masculino 1. (no contable) Guiso de varias clases de verduras cocidas y rehogadas: panaché de verduras con setas …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • panaché — (Del fr. panaché). m. Plato preparado con diversas verduras cocidas …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • Panache — (fr., spr. Panasch), 1) Federbusch; 2) gelbe od. weiße Streifen dunkelfarbiger Tulipanen …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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