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contretemps

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒntrətɒ̃/

Definition of contretemps

noun (plural same /-tɒ̃z/)

  • a minor dispute or disagreement:she had occasional contretemps with her staff
  • an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence: the hotel had to deal with more than one contretemps before the end of the night

Origin:

late 17th century (originally as a fencing term, denoting a thrust made at an inopportune moment): French, originally 'motion out of time', from contre- 'against' + temps 'time'

contretemps in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of contretemps in the US English dictionary

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