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bavure

smear

noun ba-VOOR Rare

Also means

blunder (police misconduct)

Usage Note

Bavure literally means a smudge or ink blot (from baver, 'to drool/smear'). Its most prominent modern use is in the phrase bavure policière ('police blunder' or 'police misconduct'), describing an illegal or excessive use of force. This usage is standard in French journalism and political debate. The verb baver also gives bave ('drool') and the colloquial en baver ('to have a hard time of it').

Examples

"La bavure policière a choqué l'opinion publique."

Natural Translation

The police blunder shocked public opinion.

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