Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Feminine equivalent of parvenu.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective of or characteristic of a parvenu
  • adjective characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Borrowed from French parvenue, feminine past participle of parvenir meaning "to arrive", learned borrowing from Latin parvenire, from per- meaning "through" + "venire" meaning "to come."

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Examples

  • It is curious that we, offsprings of parvenue success, should be capable of such repudiation.

    The Kempton-Wace Letters 2010

  • Et je suis parvenue à comprendre les éléments de physique qui y étaient exposés.

    Archive 2010-07-01 Rene Meertens 2010

  • That even today a Democratic nominee speaks that way confirms G.K. Chesterton's belief that some political institutions are "parvenue by pedigree; they hand on vulgarity like a coat-of-arms."

    Relaxation By Exhaustion 2008

  • La lettre m'est parvenue dans un bien mauvais etat ...

    pinku-tk Diary Entry pinku-tk 2008

  • And as for a parvenue, well that would be Sarah Palin would it not.

    On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2008

  • As Modeste, dazzled by the magnificence of the great lords, entered and beheld this lesser Versailles, she suddenly remembered her approaching interview with the celebrated duchesses, and began to fear that she might seem awkward, or provincial, or parvenue; in fact, she lost her self-possession, and heartily repented having wished for a hunt.

    Modeste Mignon 2007

  • Une invitation m'est d'ailleurs parvenue par e-mail.

    Quechup = spammeurs — Climb to the Stars 2007

  • I often think a parvenue, or half-bred woman, would burst if she had to do as I do.

    The Romance of Isabel Lady Burton 2006

  • My comment that arms control is not the exclusive parvenue of this nation of ours, especially considering that we are the largest arms dealers in the world, stands.

    No Impeachment? No Problem. Think Nixon and President Pelosi 2006

  • The English men of fashion in Paris courted her, too, to the disgust of the ladies their wives, who could not bear the parvenue.

    Vanity Fair 2006

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