inouï

Inouï is a French adjective meaning extraordinary, unheard-of, or exceptional. It is used to describe something that is remarkably unusual or astonishing, often with a sense of novelty or rarity. The term carries a formal or literary tone and emphasizes the remarkable nature of a thing, event, or person.

Etymology: Inouï is formed with the prefix in- attached to ouï, the past participle of ouïr (to hear). The sense conveyed is “not heard” or “unheard-of,” which in modern use translates to “unbelievable” or “unprecedented.”

Usage: The word is common in literary or formal contexts; in everyday speech, speakers may opt for synonyms such as incroyablement or extraordinaire. The masculine form is inouï, the feminine is inouïe. It can describe talents, performances, inventions, events, or feats, for example: une performance inouïe, un talent inouï. When describing manner or mannerisms, one might say de manière inouïe or de façon inouïe.

See also: incroyable, extraordinaire, prodigieux. The term remains a stylistically elevated way to express that something stands apart from the ordinary due to its exceptional quality or rarity.

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