boutade

noun

bou·​tade

büˈtäd

plural -s

1

a

: an outbreak or burst especially of temper

b

: caprice, whim

no need to take his little boutades seriously

2

a

: an 18th century French dance of impromptu character

b

: an instrumental musical composition similar to the Italian capriccio in an impromptu fanciful style

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from bouter to thrust + -ade

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