Contretemps

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Contretemps \Con`tre*temps"\, n. [F., fr. contre (L. conta) +
     temps time, fr. L. tempus.]
     An unexpected and untoward accident; something inopportune or
     embarrassing; a hitch.
     [1913 Webster]
  


           In this unhappy contretemps.             --De Quincey.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  contretemps
       n : an awkward clash; "he tried to smooth over his contretemps
           with the policeman"