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soupçon

suspicion

noun soop-SOHN Less Common
Mind & Emotions Attitudes

Origin: Latin 'suspicionem' via Old French

Also means

hint (of flavour)

Usage Note

Soupçon has a cedilla on the 'ç' and the final 'n' is nasalised. Beyond its primary sense of suspicion or mistrust, it is used in cooking for 'a hint' or 'a touch' of an ingredient — this culinary use was borrowed into English as 'soupçon'. Soupçonner is the related verb meaning 'to suspect'.

Examples

"Il avait un soupçon de jalousie."

Natural Translation

He had a hint of jealousy.

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