patois Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
    argot; cant; vernacular; slang; jargon; lingo.
    • they don't speak our lingo
  2. noun a regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard

WordNet


Pa`tois" noun
Etymology
F.
Definitions
  1. A dialect peculiar to the illiterate classes; a provincial form of speech.
    The jargon and patois of several provinces. Sir T. Browne.

Webster 1913