contre-jour

[ kon-truh-zhoor; French kawntruh-zhoor ]

/ ˌkɒn trəˈʒʊər; French kɔ̃trəˈʒur /

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adjective

(of a photograph) taken with the camera pointed more or less in the direction of the principal light source or with the strongest light behind the subject.

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Origin of contre-jour

1920–25; <French, equivalent to contrecounter- + jour daylight, day; see journey

Words nearby contre-jour

contravention, contrayerva, contrecoup, contrecoup injury of brain, contredanse, contre-jour, cont. rem., contre-partie, contretemps, contrib., contribute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use contre-jour in a sentence

Serious foodies can indulge in a high-end, three-course Chef Du Jour meal served inside an air-conditioned tent ($45 per person).
America’s Best Summer Food Festivals|Lonely Planet|July 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What about workplace flexibility, the answer du jour to the wage gap?
Can the Gender Gap Be Solved?|Kay Hymowitz|April 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They have dutifully competed for federal grants and aligned their visions and strategies to the federal focus du jour.
How Cities Are Fixing America|Bruce Katz, Jennifer Bradley|June 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Reichert is comparing her book to that of high class call girl Belle Du Jour, according to MailOnline.
Prince Harry's Las Vegas 'Fumble' Writing Book|Tom Sykes|January 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Avant Garde became the font du jour and Helvetica continued its ride to the top.
Eight Best Bits of John Taylor’s Duran Duran Tell-All|Tom Sykes|October 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Celuy-cy avoit souvent esvad le danger d'estre noy, et tout fraischement le beau jour de la Pentecoste dernire.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Le jour suyvant, j'allay visiter les Sauvages, et y fis mon accoustum, ainsy qu j'ay dict de Kinibqui.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Et ce jusques au temps & terme de six ans finis & accomplis, cpter du jour que ledit livre sera achev d'imprimer.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Cf. 'Rayson et desperacion Contre moy veulent maintenir'; orig.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
It is too close a copy of the original, l. 25—'Contre moy font une accion.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for contre-jour

contre-jour

/ (ˈkɒntrəˌʒʊə) /

noun

photog

the technique of taking photographs into the light, with the light source behind the subject
(as modifier)a contre-jour shot

Word Origin for contre-jour

C20: from French, literally: against day(light)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012