See also: bete, betë, Bete, and bète

French

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Inherited from Middle French beste, from Old French beste, probably partially borrowed from Classical Latin bēstia (beast), or less likely from an alternative Vulgar Latin bēsta (animal). Compare biche (probably from Old French bisse, itself from Vulgar Latin bīstia; compare Italian biscia).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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bête f (plural bêtes)

  1. beast, animal
    Synonym: animal
  2. (derogatory) fool
    Je pense qu’il est une bête !
    I think that he is a fool!

Derived terms

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Descendants

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  • Haitian Creole: bèt
  • Dutch: bête
  • Swedish: bet

Adjective

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bête (plural bêtes)

  1. (offensive) stupid; inept (not very bright and lacking in judgement)
    Synonym: idiot
    • 1895, Lecture, page 285:
      Or, on ne trouve pas « vraiment beau ! » ce qui vous laisse indifférent, et ce qu’on trouve « vraiment bête ! » , on est bien près d’y renoncer.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
  2. silly; avoidable (which could have been easily averted)
  3. (Canada, informal) grumpy (having a bad character or in a bad mood; showing great displeasure in interacting with people)
    • 1999, Chrystine Brouillet, Les Fiancées de l'Enfer, →ISBN, 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 [lit: "less of a beast"]. Even with me.
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References

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Further reading

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Norman

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Old French beste, from Latin bēstia.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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bête f (plural bêtes)

  1. (Jersey, Guernsey) beast, animal
    • 1903, Edgar MacCulloch, “Proverbs, Weather Sayings, etc.”, in Guernsey Folk Lore[1], page 542:
      I' va d'vànt ses bêtes.
      He is going before his team.

Adjective

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bête m or f

  1. (Jersey) stupid