Pièce de résistance

Pièce de résistance

"Pièce de résistance" is a French term ("circa" 1839), translated into English literally as "piece of resistance", referring to the best part or feature of something (as in a meal), a showpiece, or highlight. It can be thought of as the portion of a creation which defies (i.e. "resists") orthodox or common conventions and practices, thereby making the whole of the creation unique and special. The phrase gives the sense that the referred-to element is the defining essence of the whole, that part that makes it memorable or gives it its unique character.

:e.g. – Even with a diverse movie and television portfolio, Burnett's "pièce de résistance" will likely forever be "The Carol Burnett Show".

Originally, the "pièce de résistance" was the most substantial dish in a meal, but now the term generally refers to quality, not quantity.

See also

*List of French phrases used by English speakers


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pièce de Résistance — Pièce de Ré|sis|tance [pjɛsdərezis tã:s], die; , s [frz. pièce de résistance = Hauptstück, schwierigster Teil, zu: résistance = Widerstand] (veraltet): Hauptgericht; großes Fleischstück …   Universal-Lexikon

  • piece de resistance — 1839, from Fr. pièce de résistance, originally the most substantial dish in a meal …   Etymology dictionary

  • pièce de résistance — ► NOUN ▪ the most important or remarkable feature of a creative work. ORIGIN French, piece (i.e. means) of resistance …   English terms dictionary

  • pièce de résistance — [pyes də rā zēs täns′] n. [Fr, piece of resistance] 1. the principal dish of a meal 2. the main item or event in a series …   English World dictionary

  • Pièce de Résistance — Pièce de Ré|sis|tance [pjɛsdərezis tã:s] die; , s [pjɛs...] <aus gleichbed. fr. pièce de résistance> (veraltet) Hauptgericht, großes Fleischstück …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • pièce de résistance — meaning ‘the most important or remarkable item’, is printed in italic type with the accents as shown. The plural form (not often needed) is pièces de résistance, pronounced in the same way as the singular form …   Modern English usage

  • piece de resistance — [n1] outstanding accomplishment achievement, chef d’oeuvre, feat, great performance, jewel, magnum opus, masterpiece, master work, prize, showpiece, tour de force*; concept 259 …   New thesaurus

  • pièce de résistance — pi|èce de ré|sis|tance [piˌes də rezi:ˈsta:ns] n [Date: 1700 1800; : French; Origin: piece of resistance ] the best or most important thing in a series, which comes after everything else ▪ The pièce de résistance was a stunning goal in the last… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • piece de résistance — [[t]pie̱s də reɪzɪ̱stɒns, AM zɪstɑ͟ːns[/t]] N SING The piece de résistance of a collection or series of things is the most impressive thing in it. [FORMAL] The piece de résistance, however, was a gold evening gown …   English dictionary

  • pièce de résistance —   n. piece of resistance ; culminating or main item.    ♦ pièce d occasion, n. piece written or composed for a special occasion; bargain …   Dictionary of difficult words

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