napoleon

noun

1. 1

   historicalThe franc germinal: a 20-franc gold coin issued under Napoleon I of France.

2. 2

   historicalOther subsequent 20-franc coins, notes, or values.

   We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources, and borrowed, for that purpose, thirty thousand napoleons from the Bank of France.

3. 3

   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.

   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.

   He [sc. McKinley] has been called the Napoleon of protection, as other men have been called Napoleons of finance.

   [object Object]

4. 4

   A 19th-century five-card trick-taking game simplified from euchre.

5. 5

   Variant of Napoleon bootobsoleteClipping of Napoleon boot, a form of topboot worn by officers during the Napoleonic Wars.

   Always an eloquent speaker, Polk became known as the Napoleon of the stump.

6. 6

   Variant of Napoleon gunhistoricalClipping of Napoleon gun, a 12-pounder cannon first used by the Second French Empire.

7. 7

   Variant of double napoleonClipping of double napoleon, a form of patience/solitaire.

8. 8

   Variant of napobsoleteAlternative 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.

9. 9

   Variant of Napoleon bigarreauClipping of Napoleon bigarreau, a variety of the white-fleshed bigarreau cherry; a variety of cherry tree bearing such fruit.

10. 10

    Variant of Napoleon cakeClipping of Napoleon cake, another name for a millefeuille pastry.

    Fascinated, Miss Manvers thrust aside a garnished plate, took a gulp of the decoction called coffee, and attacked her napoleon.

11. 11

    Variant of Napoleon brandyrareClipping of Napoleon brandy, any excellent brandy; a serving of such a brandy.

12. 12

    Variant of Napoleon sliceEllipsis of Napoleon slice.

Forms

plural

napoleons