tête-bêche

adjective

ˈtet-ˈbesh How to pronounce tête-bêche (audio)
: of or relating to a pair of stamps inverted in relation to one another either through a printing error or intentionally

Word History

Etymology

French, noun, pair of inverted stamps, from tête head + -bêche, alteration of Middle French bechevet head against foot

First Known Use

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tête-bêche was circa 1913

Dictionary Entries Near tête-bêche

tête-à-tête

tête-bêche

teth

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Tête-bêche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/t%C3%AAte-b%C3%AAche. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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