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Showing results for arrière-pensée.
Synonyms

arrière-pensée

American  
[a-ryer-pahn-sey] / a rjɛr pɑ̃ˈseɪ /

noun

French.
arrière-pensées plural
  1. a mental reservation; hidden motive.


arrière-pensée British  
/ arjɛrpɑ̃se /

noun

  1. an unrevealed thought or intention

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of arrière-pensée

C19: literally: behind thought

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The Girondists alone had an arrière-pensée in their apparent favour towards him.

From History of the Girondists, Volume I Personal Memoirs of the Patriots of the French Revolution by Ryde, H. T.

It may be regarded as highly improbable that she will maintain honourably and with no arrière-pensée the obligations undertaken in the interests of German commerce in Morocco.

From Germany and the Next War by Bernhardi, Friedrich von

Nor was there any warrant for imputing to him dishonesty of purpose or arrière-pensée.

From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone (Vol 2 of 3) by Morley, John

He said this, as he said so many other things, with a frank and bold directness that made any suspicion of an arrière-pensée almost an impossibility.

From With the Procession by Fuller, Henry Blake

And I watched him tip the waiter without the least arrière-pensée on either side.

From Mr. Justice Raffles by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)

The envoys noticed that their words had ingeniously been twisted, but as they also had their own arrière-pensées in regard to the Turks, they only looked at each other with a smile and withdrew.

From The Slaves of the Padishah by J?kai, M?r

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