impasse

dead end, cul-de-sac

noun ee-PAHS Rare

Origin: Old French impasse, from im- (not) + passer (to pass)

Also means

impasse, deadlock

Usage Note

Impasse is used both literally for a dead-end street and figuratively for a situation with no way forward — les négociations sont dans une impasse (the negotiations are at a deadlock). Interestingly, the English word 'impasse' is borrowed directly from French. The p is silent in standard French pronunciation.

Examples

"La rue se termine en impasse."

Natural Translation

The street ends in a dead end.

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