misère

/ mɪˈzɛə /

noun

1. a call in solo whist and other card games declaring a hand that will win no tricks
2. a hand that will win no tricks

Word History and Origins

Origin of misère¹

C19: from French: misery

Example Sentences

Mes pensées vont aux nombreux disparus et blessés, victimes de passeurs criminels qui exploitent leur détresse et leur misère.

From The Guardian

On “Calvaire,” Chicha sings, “T’es ma misère, c’est le monde a l’envers, t’es mon enfer, ’vec tes commentaires,” which translates to “You’re my misery, my world inverted, you’re my hell with your observations.”

From Washington Post

It is a universe of dilapidated stairwells, cramped apartments and barren concrete plazas, and all are in the misère, as the French would say.

From New York Times

After every misère ouverte we have a round of nap.

From Literature

Morin: In French we say, “la misere est plus douce au soleil” — hardship is milder under the sun.

From Los Angeles Times