Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Chouan

noun
Save Word
Chou·​an | \ ˈshüˌän, F shwäⁿ \
plural Chouans\ -​änz , -​äⁿ \

Definition of Chouan

: one of the royalist insurgents in western France during and after the French revolution

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Chouan

after Jean Chouan (nickname of Jean Cottereau †1794 French revolutionary, one of the leaders), from French dialect chouan owl, alteration of Middle French javan, from Late Latin cavannus, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cwan owl, Breton kaouenn

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Chouan

Statistics for Chouan

Cite this Entry

“Chouan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chouan. Accessed 18 Sep. 2020.

Comments on Chouan

What made you want to look up Chouan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

delve

Listen to the pronunciation of delve

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Dog Words Quiz

  • shiba puppy more or less demanding cuddles
  • Which of the following animals has a dog in its etymology?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games