Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

nonchalance

 - 3 dictionary results

non⋅cha⋅lance

[non-shuh-lahns, non-shuh-lahns, -luhns]
–noun
the state or quality of being nonchalant; cool indifference or lack of concern; casualness.

Origin:
1670–80; < F; see nonchalant, -ance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To nonchalance
non·cha·lance   (nŏn'shə-läns')   
n.  Casual lack of concern: "The contemptuous nonchalance of her trailed hand irritated him" (Elizabeth Bowen).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

nonchalance 
1678, from Fr. nonchalant, prp. of nonchaloir "be indifferent to, have no concern for" (13c.), from non- "not" + chaloir "have concern for," ult. from L. calere "be hot" (see calorie). Fr. chaland "customer, client" is of the same origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see nonchalance on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: