dénoue

Dénoue is the third-person singular present indicative form of the French verb dénouer. Denuer means to untie, undo, or disentangle a knot, thread, or a complication. The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object, as in dénouer un nœud or dénouer une corde. It can also be used figuratively to mean resolving or untangling a problem, for example dénouer une affaire or dénouer une énigme.

Etymology and related terms: dénouer derives from Old French desnouer, formed from de- “undo” and nouer “to knot.” The related noun dénouement denotes the end result, resolution, or unraveling of a narrative or situation, sharing the same root.

Usage and conjugation: The verb conjugates regularly. Present tense forms include je dénoue, tu dénoues, il dénoue, nous dénouons, vous dénouez, ils dénouent. The past participle is dénoué, used in compound tenses such as j’ai dénoué. Dénouer is often compared with démêler, another verb meaning to disentangle or sort out, though démêler emphasizes untying tangles more than resolving broader situations.

Examples:

- Le marin dénoue rapidement les nœuds du cordage.

- Les négociateurs cherchent à dénouer l’impasse par un accord.

- L’enquête a finalement dénoué les causes de l’incident.

See also: dénouement, a noun meaning the outcome or resolution of a sequence, particularly in literature or drama.