jouissance

American  

[zhwee-sahnns] / ʒwi sɑ̃ns /

noun

French

1. pleasure; enjoyment.

   The chef’s original impulse for jouissance in food, as well as in life, came from his parents, who were always cooking and experimenting with different flavors.

2. the use or exercise of a right, especially property rights.

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Etymology

Origin of jouissance

First recorded in 1480–90; from Old French, equivalent to jouiss-, stem of jouir “to enjoy” + -ance ( def. )

Example Sentences

Jouissance in the "living virtue" of beauty is at the heart of his revolt.

From The Guardian

The group members — Samson, Ginger Brooks Takahashi, Michael O’Neill — wore hand-painted coveralls, and kept their music squarely in the early-to-mid 1980s, when even the chilliest synthesizers managed to have an air of jouissance.

From New York Times