raisonneur

[ rez-uh-nur; French re-zaw-nœr ]

noun,plural rai·son·neurs [rez-uh-nurz; French re-zaw-nœr]. /ˌrɛz əˈnɜrz; French rɛ zɔˈnœr/.
  1. a character in a play, novel, or the like who voices the central theme, philosophy, or point of view of the work.

Origin of raisonneur

1
1900–05; <French: literally, one who reasons or argues, equivalent to raisonn(er) to reason, argue + -eur-eur

Words Nearby raisonneur

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use raisonneur in a sentence

  • Since I was lugged, even as a sort of raisonneur, into their little drama, I may be pardoned for some curiosity as to development.

    The Mountebank | William J. Locke
  • The sculptor is a formidable bore, the antique raisonneur of French drama, preaching at every pore every chance he has.

    Ivory Apes and Peacocks | James Huneker
  • "The result of all this free education," you will be told by a certain type of elderly raisonneur.