Bête
/bɛt/noun
A French-derived English noun meaning an animal or, figuratively, a foolish or contemptible person.
Did you know?Bête entered English largely through the expression “bête noire,” literally “black beast,” meaning a person or thing someone intensely dislikes.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
bestia
“A wild animal or beast”
Late Latin
Latin
bestia
“An animal, often contrasted with human beings”
11th–12th Century
Old French
beste
“An animal or beast”
16th Century
French
bête
“An animal; also a foolish or stupid person”
18th Century
English
bête noire
“Literally “black beast”; a person or thing especially disliked”
Modern English
English
bête
“A beast, fool, or—especially in “bête noire”—a hated person or thing”