Rounceval Big Rouncival Roun Si Vuhl Adjective Strong Noun Large

rounceval or rouncival /ROUN-si-vuhl/

adjective

Big or strong.

noun

Someone or something that is large.

[From Roncesvalles, a town at the foot of the Pyrenees. It was the site of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778 in which Roland, a commander of Charlemagne's army, was defeated by the Basques. Over time the story turned into a legend and giant bones of prehistoric animals discovered there were claimed to be those of heroes slain at the battle. Earliest documented use: 1570.]

"She was a big girl, a rouncival, Desroches called her."

Dolors Tool; Appetite for Murder; Breakwater Books; 2002.

"Gold ingots the size of rounceval peas, they say. Oh, and there's another curious aspect to the legend."

Louis Bayard; The School of Night; Henry Holt and Co.; 2010.