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respectabilité

respectability

noun res-pek-tah-bee-lee-TEH Rare

Usage Note

Respectabilité denotes the quality of being respected and socially proper. It often carries a slightly ironic edge in modern usage, suggesting that appearances of respectability can mask other realities — une façade de respectabilité ('a veneer of respectability'). The related adjective is respectable.

Examples

"Il tenait à sa respectabilité avant tout."

Natural Translation

He valued his respectability above all.

Literal Translation

He held to his respectability before everything.

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