mésalliance

[ mey-zuh-lahy-uhns, mey-zal-ee-uhns; French mey-zal-yahns ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural mé·sal·li·anc·es [mey-z, uh, -, lahy, -, uh, n-siz, mey-, zal, -ee-, uh, n-siz, mey-z, a, l-, yahns].

mésalliance

/ mɛˈzælɪəns; mezaljɑ̃s /

From French, dating back to 1775–85; mis- ¹, alliance

C18: from French: misalliance

There are some families which would not admit, even for so great a fortune, a mésalliance, but they are few.

I am joyous,—yes, very joyous,—for I have been brave enough to save the man I love from a mésalliance.

In certain circumstances he might have found his advantage in fostering such a mésalliance.

I have already had the honor to tell you that my father made a mésalliance, and married his housekeeper.

I can scarcely imagine a present-day Petherton contracting such a mésalliance.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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