The word lès (French pronunciation:[lɛ]ⓘ, and [lɛz‿] with
liaison) is an archaic
Frenchpreposition meaning "near", "next to".[1][2] Today it occurs only in place names to distinguish places with the same name.
The word lès has two variants: lez and les.[1] The latter should not be confused with the plural
definite articleles (e.g. les-Bains, "the Baths").
Etymology
The word lès and its variants derive from
late Latinlatus, "side".[1][2]
The preposition is not used anymore in French, but remains still nowadays in other
Langues d'oïl such as the
Walloon language with dilé (close to) and adlé (among).
The word lès (French pronunciation:[lɛ]ⓘ, and [lɛz‿] with
liaison) is an archaic
Frenchpreposition meaning "near", "next to".[1][2] Today it occurs only in place names to distinguish places with the same name.
The word lès has two variants: lez and les.[1] The latter should not be confused with the plural
definite articleles (e.g. les-Bains, "the Baths").
Etymology
The word lès and its variants derive from
late Latinlatus, "side".[1][2]
The preposition is not used anymore in French, but remains still nowadays in other
Langues d'oïl such as the
Walloon language with dilé (close to) and adlé (among).