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contretemps

 - 2 dictionary results

con⋅tre⋅temps

  [kon-truh-tahn; Fr. kawntruh-tahn]
Use contretemps in a Sentence
–noun, plural -temps  [-tahnz; Fr. -tahn] .
an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance: He caused a minor contretemps by knocking over his drink.
Origin:
1675–85; < F, equiv. to contre- counter- + temps time (< L tempus); perh. alter. (by folk etym.) of MF contrestant, prp. of contrester to oppose; see contrast
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To contretemps
con·tre·temps   (kŏn'trə-täɴ', kôɴ'trə-täɴ')   
n.   pl. contretemps (-täɴz', -täɴz')
An unforeseen event that disrupts the normal course of things; an inopportune occurrence.

[French : contre-, against (from Latin contrā-; see contra-) + temps, time (from Latin tempus).]
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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