faute de mieux

== English == === Etymology === Unadapted borrowing from French faute de mieux. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /fəʊt də ˈmjɜː/, /fɔːt-/, /-ˈmjø/ (General American) IPA(key): /foʊt də ˈmjə(ɹ)/, /-ˈmjʊɹ/ === Adverb === faute de mieux (comparative more faute de mieux, superlative most faute de mieux) For want of something better; for lack of an alternative; as a makeshift. 1823, "Select Society, With Observations on the Modern Art of Matchmaking", in The New Monthly Magazine,by C. M., pub. E. W. Allen,, volume 8 pages 91-92: Then, Alas! any body was company for every body and the first lord of the land did not think it shame, faute de mieux, to take up with the conversation of his butler, or his game-keeper, over a tankard; while the young ladies, faute de tout, danced "Bobbing Joan," with the rest of the domestics in the servants' hall. ==== Translations ==== == French == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /fot də mjø/ === Adverb === faute de mieux for want of something better, faute de mieux ==== Descendants ==== → English: faute de mieux ==== See also ==== faute de grives on mange des merles