This is the 9327th most frequent French word.
cédait
"Was yielding" or "was giving up."
The word 'cédait' here is the imperfect tense of the verb 'céder,' meaning 'to yield' or 'give up,' and indicates a habitual action in the past.
Il cédait toujours sa place aux personnes âgées dans le bus.
He always gave up his seat to elderly people on the bus.
In this context, 'cédait' describes the bridge starting to collapse or yield under pressure, signifying a physical reaction.
Le pont cédait sous le poids des véhicules lourds.
The bridge was giving way under the weight of heavy vehicles.
Here, 'cédait' refers to a person figuratively yielding or conceding points during a discussion or argument, using 'céder' to imply negotiation dynamics.