contretemps
[ kon-truh-tahn; French kawntruh-tahn ]
/ ˈkɒn trəˌtɑ̃; French kɔ̃trəˈtɑ̃ /
noun, plural con·tre·temps [kon-truh-tahnz; French kawntruh-tahn] /ˈkɒn trəˌtɑ̃z; French kɔ̃trəˈtɑ̃/.
an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance: He caused a minor contretemps by knocking over his drink.
Words nearby contretemps
contre-jour,
contre-partie,
contrecoup,
contrecoup injury of brain,
contredanse,
contretemps,
contrib.,
contribute,
contribution,
contributor,
contributory
Example sentences from the Web for contretemps
British Dictionary definitions for contretemps
contretemps
/ (ˈkɒntrəˌtɑːn, French kɔ̃trətɑ̃) /
noun plural -temps
an awkward or difficult situation or mishap
fencing
a feint made with the purpose of producing a counterthrust from one's opponent
a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing
Word Origin for contretemps
C17: from French, from
contre against +
temps time, from Latin
tempus