Wiktionary

pièce de résistance

See also: piece de resistance

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French pièce de résistance; first use of this word in English appears in 1789 in Richard Cumberland's novel Arundel.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /piˈɛs də ɹəˈzɪs.tɑ̃s/
  • Audio (UK):(file)
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

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pièce de résistance (plural pièces de résistance)

  1. A masterpiece; the most memorable accomplishment of one’s career or lifetime.
    Synonyms: magnum opus, masterpiece
  2. The chief dish at a dinner. [from late 18th c.]
    • 2023, C Pam Zhang, Land of Milk and Honey, Hutchinson Heinemann, page 30:
      Our pièce de résistance was a traditional preparation of poularde de Bresse en vessie: an entire chicken, stuffed with truffles and foie, steamed inside an inflated pig’s bladder in a bath of liquor and still more truffles.

Translations

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Dutch

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French pièce de résistance.

Noun

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pièce de résistance n (plural pièces de résistance)

  1. masterwork, masterpiece
  2. The best achievement of an author or artist, representing their major life effort.
  3. main course of a meal

Synonyms

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French

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Etymology

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Literally, “piece which has staying power”. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “How old is this phrase?”) Cp. keystone

Pronunciation

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Noun

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pièce de résistance f (plural pièces de résistance)

  1. (idiomatic) the finest part of something, especially a meal
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Descendants

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