preposition
sans
SANZ/sænz/
Without.
One doughnut has chocolate icing; the other is sans icing.
Etymology
Old French sans could mean “without,” “except,” or “apart,” expressing that something is left out of consideration. English preserves that excluding function when it names a thing or quality that is absent.
In context
Sans serif fonts don't have that extra stroke—hence the name, which is French for "without serif."
More examples
- He arrives at the formal dinner sans tie.
- I'll take the burger sans onions, please.
- The report presents the facts sans commentary.
Forms
sans