definitions
  • synonyms

contre-jour

[ kon-truh-zhoo r; French kawntruh-zhoor ]
/ ˌkɒn trəˈʒʊər; French kɔ̃trəˈʒur /

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.

Nearby words

contravallation, contravene, contravening, contravention, contrayerva, contre-jour, contre-partie, contrecoup, contrecoup injury of brain, contredanse, contretemps

Origin of contre-jour

1920–25; < French, equivalent to contre counter- + jour daylight, day; see journey
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for contre-jour

contre-jour

/ (ˈkɒntrəˌʒʊə) /

noun

photog
  1. the technique of taking photographs into the light, with the light source behind the subject
  2. (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