arrière-pensée

[ a-ryer-pahn-sey ]

noun

, French.

, plural ar·rière-pen·sées [a, -, r, ye, r, -pah, n, -, sey].

1. a mental reservation; hidden motive.

arrière-pensée

/ arjɛrpɑ̃se /

noun

1. an unrevealed thought or intention

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrière-pensée¹

C19: literally: behind thought

Example Sentences

The study of didactic literature addressed to nuns, in order to assist them in a godly way of life, leads to the consideration of another type of didactic literature, didactic however with an arrière-pensée, being concerned to point out and to condemn evils which had crept into monasteries.

From Project Gutenberg

There was nothing kept back—no arrière-pensée—no false coloring; her real character came out forcibly in this painful confession.

From Project Gutenberg

He possessed a virtue rare among artists, that of gratitude without arrière-pensée.

From Project Gutenberg

She pronounced the last word as if it was spelt “ate,” and I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, feeling speechless for a time, but I recovered soon after, as I told myself that most likely mamma had no arrière-pensée.

From Project Gutenberg

But Delia, while bearing her part as brightly and intelligibly as ever in conversation with her host, was conscious of an absorbing arrière-pensée—that, if there were such a thing as a day of paradise, she was going through just that.

From Project Gutenberg