arrière-pensée

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word arrière-pensée. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word arrière-pensée, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say arrière-pensée in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word arrière-pensée you have here. The definition of the word arrière-pensée will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofarrière-pensée, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French arrière-pensée.

Noun

arrière-pensée (plural arrière-pensées or (proscribed) arrières-pensées)

  1. A mental reservation or ulterior motive.
    • 1884, Henry James, “The Path of Duty”, in The English Illustrated Magazine, 2(15): 240-256:
      He knew that I had guessed his arrière-pensée, but he let me off for the moment, for which I was thankful; either because he was still ashamed of it, or because he supposed I was reserving myself for the catastrophe,—should it occur.

French

Etymology

Literally, behind-thought.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /a.ʁjɛʁ.pɑ̃.se/
  • Audio (Canada):(file)

Noun

arrière-pensée f (plural arrière-pensées)

  1. ulterior motive
  2. doubt, reservation

Further reading

Italian

Etymology

Borrowed from French arrière-pensée.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /arˌrjɛr.panˈse/*
  • Rhymes: -e

Noun

arrière-pensée m or f by sense (invariable)

  1. arrière-pensée (both senses)