bête

See also Bete, and bete

French

Etymology

From Old French/Middle French beste, probably partially borrowed from Classical Latin bestia. Cf. biche (possibly from Old French bisse, itself from Vulgar Latin bistia; compare Italian biscia).

Pronunciation

• audio

  (file)

• IPA: /bɛt/, SAMPA: /bEt/

Noun

bête f. (plural bêtes)

1. beast, animal

Synonyms

• (beast): animal

Derived terms

• bête de scène
• bête noire
• bétail
• bêta

Adjective

bête (epicene, plural bêtes)

1. Not very bright and lacking in judgement; stupid; inept.
2. Which could have been easily averted; silly.
3. (Canada, informal) Having a bad character or in a bad mood; showing great displeasure in interacting with people; ill-tempered.
   • 1999, Chrystine Brouillet, Les Fiancées de l'Enfer, ISBN 2-89021-363-3, page 69:

     Je dis ça, mais depuis quelques semaines elle est moins bête. Même avec moi — I say that, but these last few weeks she hasn't been as nasty. Even with me.

Synonyms

• (stupid): idiot

Related terms

• bêtise
• bestiole
• bêtement
• bestiaire
• bestiau
• bêtisier

References

• etymology