From the book
The Gods Are Athirst
Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Lemma.
A narrow ornamental braid, here traced in dark-blue arabesques across Henry’s thighs. The clothing detail makes his uniform a display of shaped colour and line, reinforcing the theatrical quality of his military appearance. The English “braid” gives the local function without treating the ornament as an insignia of a named rank.
Places to read
- Chapter VII, paragraph 16Frenchdes soutaches d’un bleu sombre: Dark-blue braid. The braid draws arabesques on the dragoon’s breeches.