|kōzsāˈlebr( ə ), |kȯz-, -eb(rə) noun
( plural causes célèbres -br( ə ), -b(rəz))
Etymology: French
1. : a celebrated legal case : a case whose revelations excite widespread interest
2. : a notorious incident or episode : a situation attracting much attention
the paper made the controversy a cause célèbre — S.H.Adams