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betise

 - 2 dictionary results

bê⋅tise

  [be-teez]
Use betise in a Sentence
–noun
1. lack of understanding, perception, or the like; stupidity.
2. a stupid or foolish act or remark.
3. something inconsequential or without merit; absurdity; trifle.
Origin:
1820–30; < F: lit., foolishness, equiv. to bête foolish (see beast ) + -ise -ice
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To betise
bê·tise   (bā-tēz')   
n.   pl. bêtises (-tēz')

  1. Stupidity; folly: "The bêtise of our human community is everywhere" (Thornton Wilder).

  2. A stupid or foolish act or remark.


[French, from bête, beast, fool, foolish, from Old French beste, beast; see beast.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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