contretemps
[kon-truh-tahn; French kawntruh-tahn]
- an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance: He caused a minor contretemps by knocking over his drink.
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Origin of contretemps
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for contretemps
Contemporary Examples
That seemed like it was the end of the matter but then new life was breathed into the contretemps on Monday.
The contretemps escalated during a commercial break when Khrushchev was handed a note by one of his advisers.
Carter reveals that Jay made weird, borderline mentorly calls to Kimmel long before the Conan contretemps began.
But the Web contretemps has had an impact all the same, particularly on the political right.
Historical Examples
He determined to take no notice of the contretemps, but return boldly to the attack.
Masterpieces of MysteryVarious
Not only was there no contretemps, but all went off well and pleasantly.
Diary And Notes Of Horace Templeton, Esq.Charles James Lever
It was an aggravation of annoyance to have her as a witness of these contretemps.
The Girls of St. Olave'sMabel Mackintosh
A contretemps less likely to occur at the Choctaw Chief, and there stayed they.
The Death ShotMayne Reid
I will write all the pleasant things, but for the jokes—the contretemps, no!
Pixie O'ShaughnessyMrs. George de Horne Vaizey
contretemps
- an awkward or difficult situation or mishap
- fencing a feint made with the purpose of producing a counterthrust from one's opponent
- a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing
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Word Origin
C17: from French, from contre against + temps time, from Latin tempus
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for contretemps
n.
1680s, "a blunder in fencing," from French contre-temps "motion out of time, unfortunate accident, bad times;" from Latin contra + tempus (see temporal). As a ballet term, from 1706; as "an unfortunate accident," 1802; as "a dispute," from 1961.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper