boutade

British  

/ buːˈtɑːd /

noun

1. an outburst; sally

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Etymology

Origin of boutade

C17: from French, from bouter to thrust

Example Sentences

As to French visitors, it was unlikely that they could make out its meaning, and if they did, as it did not concern them, they would consider it as a humorous boutade.

From Philip Gilbert Hamerton An Autobiography, 1834-1858, and a Memoir by His Wife, 1858-1894 by Hamerton, Philip Gilbert

He knew perfectly that I recommended nothing of the sort, and he must have been very angry to indulge in this boutade.

From The Path Of Duty by James, Henry

Nothing need be added, I think, to so graphic a "boutade" as this, which, though somewhat satirical, would not appear to have been much too highly coloured for the occasion.

From An Architect's Note-Book in Spain principally illustrating the domestic architecture of that country. by Wyatt, Matthew Digby

Jeffrey called indignant attention to the "most rooted and disgusting selfishness" of Rousseau, and quoted with approval the boutade of Diderot, "Cet homme est un forcen�."

From Aspects and Impressions by Gosse, Edmund

Talking of odd words, the latest boutade over here is to find new names and epithets for our dress materials—some of them quite weird.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 156, March 5, 1919 by Various