betise
- noun
- /ˈbɛtiːz/
- Archaic
:
tontería
- He realized that forgetting to submit his assignment was a serious betise.
Examples
-
Her betise in not checking the recipe led to a disastrous dinner party.
-
Thus, his physical blindness recalls the metaphorical blindness of Emma, Homais, and Charles (to name but three of Flaubert's characters who are blinded by one form or another of betise).
Academic text (1990) -
Saying the wrong name at the wedding was a silly betise that made everyone laugh.
Synonyms
61
2.7
A lack of good sense or careful thought that causes bad choices
59
7.3
A foolish action or a lack of good sense that causes trouble
51
3.4
A foolish action that shows poor judgment
1
9.9
A very silly and stupid idea or action
1
8.4
A stupid action or remark
A silly or pointless action, for example a useless remark
Antonyms
How Serious
Surface Forms
Etymology
Betise comes from the French word bête, which means 'beast' or 'animal' and was used to call someone foolish. So a betise is a 'stupid thing' or a foolish mistake, as if someone behaved like a beast instead of thinking carefully.