Contourné

Contourné is a French term that translates to "circumvented" or "bypassed" in English. It describes an action or strategy aimed at avoiding a direct confrontation, obstacle, or rule. This can apply to various contexts, including physical movement, problem-solving, or even legal and social situations.

In a physical sense, contourné might refer to taking an indirect route to reach a destination, thereby avoiding difficult terrain or a guarded area. This concept is often seen in military tactics or in navigation where the most direct path is not the most feasible. It implies finding a way around something rather than through it.

In a more abstract sense, contourné can describe a clever solution that bypasses a problem without directly addressing its core. This could involve finding a loophole in regulations, using a subtle negotiation tactic to achieve a goal, or employing a workaround to overcome a technical limitation. The emphasis is on indirectness and ingenuity to achieve an outcome. The term implies a certain level of sophistication or even slyness in the approach taken. It is not necessarily a negative term, but it highlights a method of achieving a result through indirect means.