pis aller

noun

pis al·​ler ˌpē-za-ˈlā How to pronounce pis aller (audio)
plural pis allers ˌpē-za-ˈlā(z) How to pronounce pis aller (audio)
: a last resource or device

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, to go worst

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pis aller was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near pis aller

Pisaca

pis aller

pisang

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Cite this Entry

“Pis aller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pis%20aller. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

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