bêtise

American  

[be-teez] / bɛˈtiz /

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.

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bêtise British  

/ bɛˈtiːz /

noun

1. rare folly or lack of perception

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Etymology

Origin of bêtise

1820–30; < French: literally, foolishness, equivalent to bête foolish ( see beast) + -ise -ice

Example Sentences

They know that the battle is decided by fate, personified in what they like to call la bêtise humaine – the sheer stupidity of other people.

From The Guardian • Jul. 20, 2012

Ford had heard a flippant young Frenchman speak of him as an "ancien curé, qui a fait quelque bêtise"; and indeed there was about him that stamp of the ecclesiastic which is sometimes ineffaceable.

From The Wild Olive by King, Basil

For instance, amour propre is not in any way better than "self-love," bêtise than "stupid action," camaraderie than "comradeship," savoir faire than "knowledge of the world," chef d'œuvre than "masterpiece," and so on.

From Stories That Words Tell Us by O'Neill, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Speakman)

"It was a bêtise, a slip of the pen; I admit you are right," and indifferently I opened Coralie's effusion, smiling over it.

From Man and Maid by Glyn, Elinor

The King was not angry, but he was troubled that a remarkable man, who had been his friend and teacher, should commit such a bêtise.

From Historical Miniatures by Strindberg, August