mésalliance

noun

més·​al·​liance ˌmā-ˌzal-ˈyäⁿs How to pronounce mésalliance (audio) ˌmā-zə-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce mésalliance (audio)
plural mésalliances ˌmā-ˌzal-ˈyäⁿs(-əz) How to pronounce mésalliance (audio)
ˌmā-zə-ˈlī-ən(t)-səz
: a marriage with a person of inferior social position

Word History

Etymology

French, from més- mis- + alliance

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mésalliance was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near mésalliance

mesa dropseed

mésalliance

mesameboid

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Cite this Entry

“Mésalliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/m%C3%A9salliance. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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