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joute

joust

noun ZHOOT Rare
Arts & Culture Sports

Origin: Old French joste, from joster (to joust), ultimately Latin juxtare

Also means

verbal sparring

Usage Note

Joute originally referred to a mounted combat between knights with lances, still practiced in joute nautique (water jousting), a traditional sport in southern France. Figuratively, une joute verbale or une joute oratoire describes a lively debate or rhetorical contest.

Examples

"La joute verbale entre les deux candidats était vive."

Natural Translation

The verbal sparring between the two candidates was lively.

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