Word of the Day - Contretemps

contretemps

Pronunciation: /ˈkäntrəˌtäN, ˌkôNtrəˈtäN /
noun (plural same /-ˌtäN(z), -ˈtäN(z) /)
1 An unexpected and unfortunate occurrence: the hotel had to deal with more than one contretemps before the end of the night
1.1 A minor dispute or disagreement: she had occasional contretemps with her staff

Origin
late 17th century (originally as a fencing term, denoting a thrust made at an inopportune moment): French, originally ‘motion out of time’, from contre- ‘against’ + temps ‘time’.



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Carlo was sorry for his brief contretemps with Louis during the match. Unfortunately it happened when Louis had just removed his glove.