soupçon
suspicion
noun soop-SOHN Less Common
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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