arrière-pensée

[ a-ryer-pahn-sey ]
/ a ryɛr pɑ̃ˈseɪ /

noun, plural ar·rière-pen·sées [a-ryer-pahn-sey] /a ryɛr pɑ̃ˈseɪ/. French.

a mental reservation; hidden motive.

Words nearby arrière-pensée

Example sentences from the Web for arriere-pensee

  • As yet, however, let the student of his history understand, they were not tinged with the slightest "arriere-pensee."

    Stella Fregelius |H. Rider Haggard
  • Dick meant nothing by this speech more than his words implied: he was far too good-natured for an arriere-pensee.

    Not Like Other Girls |Rosa N. Carey
  • A savage will not assist in packing them, for he fears their heels: the Swiss say mules have always an arriere-pensee.

    The Art of Travel |Francis Galton
  • Baroness Dinati was therefore wrong to suspect old Yanski Varhely of any 'arriere-pensee'.

    Prince Zilah, Complete |Jules Claretie

British Dictionary definitions for arriere-pensee

arrière-pensée
/ French (arjɛrpɑ̃se) /

noun

an unrevealed thought or intention

Word Origin for arrière-pensée

C19: literally: behind thought