mésalliance

[ mey-zuh-lahy-uhns, mey-zal-ee-uhns; French mey-zal-yahns ]

noun

, plural mé·sal·li·anc·es [mey-z, uh, -, lahy, -, uh, n-siz, mey-, zal, -ee-, uh, n-siz, mey-z, a, l-, yahns].

1. a marriage with someone who is considered socially inferior; misalliance.

mésalliance

/ mezaljɑ̃s; mɛˈzælɪəns /

noun

1. marriage with a person of lower social status

Word History and Origins

Origin of mésalliance¹

From French, dating back to 1775–85; mis- ¹, alliance

Word History and Origins

Origin of mésalliance¹

C18: from French: misalliance