arrière-pensée

noun

ar·​ri·​ère-pen·​sée ˌa-rē-ər-päⁿ-ˈsā How to pronounce arrière-pensée (audio)
: mental reservation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "ulterior motive, mental reservation," from arrièrre "back, rear" (going back to Old French arriere, adverb, "back, behind") + pensée "thought" — more at arrear, pansy

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrière-pensée was in 1617

Dictionary Entries Near arrière-pensée

Cite this Entry

“Arrière-pensée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arri%C3%A8re-pens%C3%A9e. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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