Pronunciation: ˌ bet- ' nwär, ˌ b ā t-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural bêtes noires \ ˌ bet- ' nwär(z), ˌ b ā t- \
Etymology: F, literally, black beast
Date: 1828
: a person or thing strongly detested or avoided : BUGBEAR
Pronunciation: ˌ bet- ' nwär, ˌ b ā t-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural bêtes noires \ ˌ bet- ' nwär(z), ˌ b ā t- \
Etymology: F, literally, black beast
Date: 1828
: a person or thing strongly detested or avoided : BUGBEAR
Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary. Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка. 2012