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pastis

pastis (anise-flavoured aperitif)

noun pas-TEES Rare
Food & Drink Drinks

Also means

mess, muddle (informal)

Usage Note

pastis is both a famous anise-flavoured spirit from Provence (brands include Ricard and Pernod) and an informal word for a complicated mess — c'est tout un pastis ('it's a real muddle'). The final 's' is always pronounced. Traditionally served with cold water which turns the golden liquid cloudy (louche).

Examples

"Il commande un pastis bien frais en terrasse."

Natural Translation

He orders a nice cold pastis on the terrace.

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