tout ensemble

American  

[too tahn-sahn-bl^uh] / tu tɑ̃ˈsɑ̃ blə /

adverb

French.

1. all together.

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noun

1. the assemblage of parts or details, as in a work of art, considered as forming a whole; the ensemble.

tout ensemble British  

/ tut ɑ̃sɑ̃blə /

adverb

1. everything considered; all in all

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noun

1. the total impression or effect

Etymology

Origin of tout ensemble

First recorded in 1690–1700; from French tout “all” (from Latin tōtus “entire”) + ensemble “together”; see total ( def. ), ensemble ( def. )

Example Sentences

It was his towering, bald forehead, and something of command and savage energy in his lowering face, that redeemed the tout ensemble from an almost brutal vulgarity.

From Checkmate by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan

While the tout ensemble, his garments clinging to his shivering carcase, is in no wise calculated to invest his just exasperation with the majesty of outraged dignity.

From The Fire Trumpet A Romance of the Cape Frontier by Mitford, Bertram

The latter had light flaxen ringlets and blue eyes, and the tout ensemble of the features were totally dissimilar.

From The Cavaliers of Virginia or, The Recluse of Jamestown. Vol. II by Caruthers, William A. (Alexander)

He could vouch certainly for the genuineness of the kimino, but the tout ensemble was too much for him.

From A Flight in Spring In the car Lucania from New York to the Pacific coast and back, during April and May, 1898 by Knowles, J. Harris (John Harris)

But when he left his bedroom on the morning of Winslow’s arrival, he had considerably more of the English Squire than the Australian Squatter about his tout ensemble.

From From Squire to Squatter A Tale of the Old Land and the New by Stables, Gordon