Boutade
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A sudden outbreak or outburst; a caprice, a whim.
"[H]e suddenly broke out, "Well, then, as I understand you, what you recommend me is to marry Miss Bernardstone, and carry on an intrigue with Lady Vandeleur!" He knew perfectly that I recommended nothing of the sort, and he must have been very angry to indulge in this boutade."
Example
More examples"[H]e suddenly broke out, "Well, then, as I understand you, what you recommend me is to marry Miss Bernardstone, and carry on an intrigue with Lady Vandeleur!" He knew perfectly that I recommended nothing of the sort, and he must have been very angry to indulge in this boutade."
Etymology
Borrowed from French boutade, from bouter (“to thrust”). See butt.