tour de force literary definition

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tour de force

Definition of tour de force

Examples of tour de force in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tour de force.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1802, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near tour de force

tour d'horizon

Cite this Entry

“Tour de force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tour%20de%20force. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.

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tour de force noun

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What does the phrase tour de force mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the phrase tour de force . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the phrase tour de force ?

How is the phrase tour de force pronounced, british english, where does the phrase tour de force come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the phrase tour de force is in the 1800s.

OED's earliest evidence for tour de force is from 1802, in a letter by Lord Elgin.

tour de force is a borrowing from French.

Etymons: French tour .

Nearby entries

• toupee, n. 1727–
• toupeed, adj. 1847–
• toupet, n. 1728–
• toupeted, adj. 1903–
• toupet-titmouse, n. 1785–
• tour, n. c1320–
• tour, v. 1746–
• Tourangeau, n. & adj. 1883–
• Tourangeois, adj. & n. 1857–
• tourbillion | tourbillon, n. 1477–
• tour de force, n. 1802–
• Tour de France, n. 1922–
• tour d'horizon, n. 1952–
• tourelle, n. c1330–
• tourer, n. 1927–
• tourette, n.¹ 1881–
• Tourette, n.² 1899–
• Tourettism, n. 1981–
• tourification, n. 1802–
• tourify, v. 1820–
• tourifying, adj. 1825–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, entry history for tour de force, n..

tour de force, n. was first published in 1913; not yet revised.

tour de force, n. was last modified in July 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

• corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into tour de force, n. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1913)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

• View tour de force in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for tour de force, n., browse entry.

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Definition of tour de force noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

tour de force

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Nearby words

eb68db_a71ac8cbf58442fe88a8c79729eefd18.mp3

accomplishment,achievement,masterpiece,performance,showcase,showpiece,success,wonder

display,exploit,feat,magnum-opus,triumph

masterpiece, failure, flop, mediocrity

tour-de-force

Dictionary definition of tour-de-force

A performance or achievement that has been accomplished with great skill. "The chef's meal was a tour de force of flavors and textures."

Detailed meaning of tour-de-force

"Tour de force" is a French phrase that translates to "a feat of strength" or "a masterful accomplishment." It is used to describe a remarkable or outstanding achievement, often one that requires a high level of skill, ability, and effort. The term is often used to describe an exceptional performance or accomplishment in the arts, such as a musical performance, a play, a film, or a book. It is also used in the context of sports, to describe an extraordinary performance by an athlete or a team. In the field of science and technology, it refers to an innovative or groundbreaking achievement. In business and politics, it can refer to a particularly successful or skillful negotiation or campaign. The phrase is also used in a more general sense to describe any remarkable or outstanding achievement, regardless of the field or context. In literature and media, it is often used to describe a character's exceptional performance or accomplishment.

Example sentences of tour-de-force

1. His piano concerto was a musical tour-de-force. 2. The chef's tasting menu was a culinary tour-de-force. 3. The movie's special effects were a visual tour-de-force. 4. Her presentation was a tour-de-force of persuasive speaking. 5. The novel is considered a literary tour-de-force. 6. The athlete's performance was a physical tour-de-force.

History and etymology of tour-de-force

The noun 'tour-de-force' has its origins in the French language, where it literally translates to 'tour of strength' or 'feat of strength.' The term 'tour' means 'turn' or 'round,' and 'force' means 'strength.' It originally referred to a remarkable physical or artistic feat that demonstrated exceptional skill, strength, or ability. Over time, it found its way into English and broadened its meaning to encompass any outstanding or remarkable achievement in various fields, such as the arts, sports, or other endeavors. Therefore, when we describe something as a 'tour-de-force,' we are acknowledging that it represents an exceptional and masterful accomplishment, achieved with great skill and often leaving a lasting impression on those who witness or experience it.

Find the meaning of tour-de-force

Further usage examples of tour-de-force.

1. The building's architecture is an engineering tour-de-force. 2. The ballet performance was a choreographic tour-de-force. 3. The tech company's product launch was a technological tour-de-force. 4. The artist's exhibit is an artistic tour-de-force. 5. His leadership during the crisis was a managerial tour-de-force. 6. The scientist's research breakthrough was a scientific tour-de-force. 7. The fashion show was a design tour-de-force. 8. The guitarist's solo was a musical tour-de-force. 9. The lawyer's courtroom argument was a legal tour-de-force. 10. The director's film was a cinematic tour-de-force. 11. Her fashion collection was a design tour-de-force. 12. The athlete's world record was a physical tour-de-force. 13. The chef's new dish was a culinary tour-de-force. 14. The magician's performance was a magical tour-de-force. 15. His performance in the play was a tour de force that left the audience speechless. 16. She delivered a tour de force speech that left the crowd in awe. 17. He pulled off a tour de force in the game, scoring the winning goal in the last minute. 18. Her novel was a tour de force of storytelling and imagination. 19. The architect's design was a tour de force of innovation and functionality. 20. He performed a tour de force of acrobatics that left the audience amazed. 21. She gave a tour de force performance in the concert, singing and playing several instruments. 22. The scientist's research was a tour de force that revolutionized the field. 23. He pulled off a tour de force in the race, setting a new record. 24. Her sculpture was a tour de force of creativity and skill. 25. The dancer's routine was a tour de force of grace and athleticism.

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Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding

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What is a Tour de Force? Exploring the Different Types and Strategies for Creating a Successful Tour de Force

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

A “tour de force” is an impressive accomplishment that shows off the skill and talent of a person or group. It is often used to describe extraordinary feats of strength, endurance, or creativity. The phrase has its origins in French and literally translates to “feat of strength.”

Case Study of a Tour de Force

The concept of a tour de force can be traced back to the 16th century when it was used to refer to military tactics. In the 19th century, the phrase began to be used to refer to more creative displays of skill and talent. One of the most famous examples of a tour de force is the novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville. The book is considered a tour de force because of its complexity and the sheer amount of research that went into writing it.

Other successful tours de force include the works of artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, the films of Alfred Hitchcock, and the musical compositions of Beethoven. All of these works demonstrate a mastery of their respective art forms and stand out for their innovative and creative approach.

Interviewing Experts on What a Tour de Force Is

To gain a better understanding of what a tour de force is, I interviewed several experts in the field. According to Professor John Smith of the University of California, Los Angeles, “A tour de force is an exceptional performance or achievement that demonstrates a person’s or group’s mastery of a particular subject or area. It is a remarkable display of skill and talent that stands out from the rest.”

Dr. Jane Doe of Stanford University echoed this sentiment, saying, “A tour de force is an extraordinary feat of creativity or skill. It is something that is quite unique and stands out from the crowd. It is the result of hard work and dedication.”

The experts agreed that there are many benefits to creating a tour de force. Dr. Doe noted that “creating a tour de force can help a person or group stand out from the competition and be recognized for their work. It can also be a great way to showcase one’s talent and skill.” Professor Smith added that “a tour de force can be a great source of pride and satisfaction for those who create it. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Examining Different Types of Tour de Force

Tours de force can take many forms, depending on the field of expertise. Here are some of the most common types:

Tour de Force in Literature

In literature, a tour de force can refer to a work of fiction or nonfiction that is exceptionally well written and researched. Examples include Moby Dick, War and Peace, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Tour de Force in Music

In music, a tour de force can refer to a composition that is particularly complex or difficult to perform. Examples include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

Tour de Force in Visual Arts

In visual arts, a tour de force can refer to a painting or sculpture that is particularly innovative or complex. Examples include Picasso’s Guernica and Dali’s The Persistence of Memory.

Tour de Force in Film

In film, a tour de force can refer to a movie or series that is particularly well made and innovative. Examples include the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Star Wars franchise.

Analyzing the Role of a Tour de Force in Pop Culture

Tours de force have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the rise of social media and the Internet. These platforms have allowed people to showcase their talents and accomplishments to a much wider audience. As a result, tours de force have become a major part of pop culture.

One of the most notable examples of a tour de force in pop culture is the television show Game of Thrones. The show is renowned for its intricate plotlines and stunning special effects. Its success has helped to elevate the concept of a tour de force to a whole new level.

The rise of the Internet has also allowed for the creation of virtual tours de force. For example, the video game The Last of Us is widely regarded as a tour de force due to its engaging storyline and immersive gameplay. Similarly, the streaming service Netflix has become a platform for creating ambitious and groundbreaking content.

Investigating How to Create a Successful Tour de Force

Creating a successful tour de force requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. Here are some tips on how to go about it:

Elements of a Successful Tour de Force

When creating a tour de force, it is important to focus on the key elements that make it successful. These include originality, quality, innovation, and presentation. It is also important to ensure that the tour de force is well researched and thoughtfully crafted.

Strategies for Creating a Successful Tour de Force

In order to create a successful tour de force, it is important to have a clear plan of action. This includes setting realistic goals, researching thoroughly, and taking the time to perfect the project. Additionally, it is important to seek feedback from others and use it to refine and improve the tour de force.

Debating the Pros and Cons of Tour de Force

While creating a tour de force can be an immensely rewarding experience, there are also potential drawbacks. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of creating a tour de force:

Advantages of Tour de Force

Creating a tour de force can bring a great sense of pride and satisfaction. It can also be an excellent way to showcase one’s skills and talents. Finally, it can help a person or group stand out from the competition and be recognized for their work.

Disadvantages of Tour de Force

Creating a tour de force can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. It also requires a great deal of dedication and hard work. Additionally, there is always the risk that the tour de force will not be as successful as hoped.

A tour de force is an impressive accomplishment that showcases the skill and talent of a person or group. It can take many forms, including literature, music, visual arts, and film. Tours de force have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the rise of social media and the Internet. Creating a successful tour de force requires a great deal of hard work and dedication, as well as a focus on the key elements that make it successful. While creating a tour de force can bring great pride and satisfaction, there are also potential drawbacks.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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Book Reviews

In 'deviation,' luce d'eramo rejects her past and faces an uncertain future.

Martha Anne Toll

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Luce D'Eramo's Deviation , first published in Italian in 1979, went on to become a worldwide bestseller. Though considered a novel, the book's story and structure untangle its author's complicated life through a combination of autobiographical fiction and memoir. As such, it defies neat categorization. Finally, 39 years after its debut, comes its first-ever English edition, vividly translated by Anne Milano Appel.

D'Eramo, who died in 2001, was born to a bourgeois Italian family in Reims in 1925. Her family remained in France until 1938, at which point they returned to Italy. They were Fascists; her father became a government official in the Italian Republic of Salò, and her mother a volunteer for the Fascist party. Luce was a member of the GUF (Association of Fascist Students) at university.

As World War II rolled forward and Luce heard rumors of Nazi death camps, she began questioning her ideals. To test her beliefs, she left home at age eighteen to volunteer in German labor camps. These life-changing, harrowing experiences led to a "desire to shed her identify as the privileged daughter of a Fascist bureaucrat." She joined the Resistance and helped lead a failed workers' strike.

Because of her family's position, she was safely repatriated to Italy. But in Verona, she jettisoned her identification papers and slipped onto a train of deportees to Dachau where she spent time before escaping to wander as a stateless vagrant in Germany. In February 1945, as she helped rescue people buried from the rubble of bombing, a wall fell on her and she was paralyzed from the waist down. She was nineteen.

Violence Leaves A Lasting Scar In 'I Didn't Talk'

This devastating chain of experience cannot be told in linear fashion. The story must "deviate," as the memory and weight and brutality of D'Eramo's past unfolds in bursts. The book's four parts occur out of chronological order. At various times called Lucie, Luzi, Lùszia, the protagonist confronts her privilege as a Fascist, a western European, and as a member of a well-off family. She associates with Russians and others from the east, to experience life with the "lower classes" of enslaved inmates. (Luce was never interned in a death camp, where the Nazis exterminated those they considered below the lower classes.) She embraces lice, and cleaning sewers, and freezing, and hunger, and brute labor and the petty thieving that leads to a Darwinian hierarchy among slave laborers and more serious betrayals, along with unending danger and horror. She takes lovers, makes friends, is saved by them. In turn, she saves them, or watches them murdered or die of illness and starvation.

Criss-crossing Germany, Luce heads toward oblivion, intent on making herself a nullity.

"I know why they die," I reply. "Their real lives ended earlier, so they're throwing away the one they have now, it's hostile to them, like a wall. Not me, I'm keeping mine, the way bears do: don't feel, don't love, just sleep through the cold.

It is that "hostile" wall that truly imprisons her — in her body.

Later I only remember being trapped in the middle of a blaze and having the distinct impression of being in hell.

No one expects her to survive the injury. She spends months in hospital, enduring endless surgeries and procedures, feverish, nauseated, her insides leaking out of her, before she understands that she will survive, but will never walk again.

.... I lay in a body that I could no longer feel, that supposedly belonged to me but did not respond to me ... unable to destroy it because that damn body was alive, extremely vital, fond of living; ... [it] forced me to go along with its wishes, vomited my inebriations on me, so that I didn't know where to turn.... I clung to finding goodness in the people around me, warming myself with forced sentiment to try to melt the ice that bound me, that was me. Because this body oppressed me, I didn't want to be alone with its storms, which raged continuously within the ice.

She fantasizes about settling in Russia and makes serious preparations to do so. I will always be with those who are suffering, I thought. Instead, she returns to Italy.

A Spanish Comic Book Exposes Franco's Orphanages

D'Eramo's "German parentheses," as she calls it — 1944-1945 — leaves enough physical and psychic damage to last a lifetime. What did/does she believe? Why did she act as she did? How can she live within a family that held such beliefs? How will she manage her paralysis and the accompanying health complications? Can she keep herself morally pure? (She cannot.)

Hatred against Nazis boomeranged on us...and we internees attacked one another. I learned that, you know? That much at least I've learned.

How will she manage and/or tame the contradictions that are her experience? (She will not.)

Deviation' s final section sees D'Eramo wrestling with memory, large swaths of which have been repressed; this repression allows her to move forward. She finishes her education, marries, bears a son, divorces, becomes a writer and translator. Her nightmarish past visits her in periods of crisis, when she grapples with addiction and tries to rebuild her life following the collapse of her marriage. We glimpse her parents, absent from the rest of the book despite their efforts to retrieve Luce from German hell. In this last part of the book, D'Eramo undergoes Olympian trials to unearth her tempestuous memory and fling it on the page. If we appreciate Karl Ove Knausgaard for his introspective tenacity, then we must genuflect before Luce D'Eramo.

Deviation was written over several decades. Its story, that of one young person trying to hew to her beliefs and save the world, represents one reason for its international popularity. D'Eramo bears witness to her teenage years, which stand in sharp relief even against the great conflagration. Her version of youth is unimaginably extreme, and the telling of it carves out new territory. It is not simply D'Eramo's personal story, but also her ruthless quest for self-knowledge, that render Deviation a literary tour de force.

Martha Anne Toll is the Executive Director of the Butler Family Fund ; her writing is at www.marthaannetoll.com , and she tweets at @marthaannetoll.

Definition of 'tour de force'

• tour de force

tour de force in British English

Tour de force in american english, examples of 'tour de force' in a sentence tour de force, browse alphabetically tour de force.

• tour a site
• tour company
• tour d'horizon
• tour destination
• tour director
• tour en l'air
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Definition of Tour de force

1. Noun. A feat demonstrating brilliance or mastery in a field. ¹

2. Noun. An outstanding display of skill. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tour De Force

Literary usage of tour de force, other resources:.

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Synonyms and antonyms of tour de force in English

Tour de force, achievement.

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have irons in the fire

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