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• manque
  manque

  noun

  the numbers 1 to 18 in roulette.
• manqué
  manqué

  adjective

  having failed, missed, or fallen short, especially because of circumstances or a defect of character; unsuccessful; unfulfilled or frustrated (usually used postpositively).

manque

¹ American  

[mahnk] / mɑ̃k /

noun

French.

1. the numbers 1 to 18 in roulette.

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manqué ² American  

[mahng-key, mahn-key] / mɑŋˈkeɪ, mɑ̃ˈkeɪ /

adjective

1. having failed, missed, or fallen short, especially because of circumstances or a defect of character; unsuccessful; unfulfilled or frustrated (usually used postpositively).

   a poet manqué who never produced a single book of verse.

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manqué British  

/ ˈmɒŋkeɪ, mɑ̃ke /

adjective

1. (postpositive) unfulfilled; potential; would-be

   the manager is an actor manqué

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Etymology

Origin of manque¹

Literally, “lack”

Origin of manqué²

1770–80; < French, past participle of manquer to lack, be short of < Italian mancare, derivative of manco lacking, defective < Medieval Latin, Late Latin mancus ( Latin: feeble, literally, maimed, having a useless hand, probably derivative of manus hand)

Example Sentences

And yet compelling as the theory of Mourinho as a player manqué is, and that as a result he feels the need to master them at all times, this is not a straightforward case.

From The Guardian • Oct. 27, 2017

Turturro has the more clichéd role, a playwright manqué toiling in advertising in quiet desperation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2017

It’s the inflated babble of a guru manqué, absolutely.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 24, 2015

Charlie Mortdecai, a bumbling aristocratic bon vivant and sociopath who lives beyond his means and deals in stolen art, is a vehicle for Mr. Depp to turn into a kind of Austin Powers manqué.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2015

In a word, the fingers of the artiste manqué.

From The Mountebank by Locke, William John