Dictionary

patois

noun pa·tois \ˈpa-ˌtwä, ˈpä-\

: a form of a language that is spoken only in a particular area and that is different from the main form of the same language

plural pa·tois \-ˌtwäz\

Full Definition of PATOIS

1
a :  a dialect other than the standard or literary dialect
b :  uneducated or provincial speech
2
:  the characteristic special language of an occupational or social group :  jargon
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Origin of PATOIS

French
First Known Use: 1643

Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation, homonym

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