tête-bêche

[ tet-besh ]

adjective

, Philately.

1. of or relating to a pair of stamps that have been printed with one stamp inverted.

tête-bêche

/ tɛtˈbɛʃ /

adjective

1. philately (of an unseparated pair of stamps) printed so that one is inverted in relation to the other

Word History and Origins

Origin of tête-bêche¹

1880–85; < French, equivalent to tête head + bêche, reduced from béchevet placed with the head of one against the foot of the other

Word History and Origins

Origin of tête-bêche¹

C19: from French, from tête head + bêche, from obsolete béchevet double-headed (originally of a bed)