ˈkōnt, -ōⁿt noun
( plural contes -t(s))
Etymology: French, from conter to relate — more at count
1. : a short tale especially of adventure
a conte in the old-fashioned sense, a tale of temptation and adventure, innocence and world-wickedness — Parker Tyler
— compare short story
2. : a narrative somewhat shorter than the average novel but longer than a short story
a conte rather than a full-length novel — John O'London's Weekly