Main Entry:

en·fant ter·ri·ble

Pronunciation:

\äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēbl^ə\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural enfants terribles \same\

Etymology:

French, literally, terrifying child

Date:

1851

1 a: a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment b: a person known for shocking remarks or outrageous behavior2: a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde