jeu d'esprit

[ zhœ des-pree ]

noun

, French.

, plural jeux d'es·prit [zh, œ, des-, pree].

1. a witticism.
2. a literary work showing keen wit or intelligence rather than profundity.

jeu d'esprit

/ ʒø dɛspri /

noun

1. a light-hearted display of wit or cleverness, esp in literature

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeu d'esprit¹

Literally, “play of spirit”

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeu d'esprit¹

literally: play of spirit