contretemps
pronunciation
How to pronounce contretemps in British English:
UK ['kɒntrətɒ̃]
How to pronounce contretemps in American English:
US [ˈkɑntrəˌtɑŋ, ˌkɔŋtrəˈtɑŋ]
-
- Noun:
- an awkward clash
Word Origin
- contretemps (n.)
- 1680s, "a blunder in fencing," from French contre-temps "motion out of time, unfortunate accident, bad times;" from Latin contra + tempus (see temporal). As a ballet term, from 1706; as "an unfortunate accident," 1802; as "a dispute," from 1961.
Example
- 1. That contretemps is just one example of the conflicting signals on the uk economy .
- 2. He tried to smooth over his contretemps with the policeman .
- 3. We had a slight contretemps at the bar because some bloke tried to push in front and richard got angry .
- 4. The u. s. grains council has commissioned a study showing the animal feed trade growing despite the antidumping contretemps .
- 5. One georgetown player shrugged off the contretemps . " Man , it 's just a game , " he said .