Retroussé

Origin

from the French retroussé, past participle of retrousser, to bundle or tie up.

Full definition of retroussé

Adjective

1. Turned up, as in describing the nose.
• 1903 April, "Sir Oracle", in The Era: A Monthly Magazine of Literature, Volume XI, Number 4, page 303:... Roxelane ... would never have been espoused by the Sultan had not her nose been retroussé, thus ... ¶ It may be noted that to this day a retroussé nose is known in France as a nose a la Roxelane.
• 2004, Michael Gilbert, The Dust and the HeatYou know, a touch of character – slightly retroussé nose, big mouth, perhaps a couple of freckles.
• 2004, Anita-Louise Johnson, FaithfulLuminous silver gray eyes outlined in sooty lashes; a pert retroussé nose and faintly carmine tinted lips, slightly full, finished the oval face.
• 2008, Fiona Capp, Musk and ByrneShe shares with this woman the same retroussé nose and half-moon eyes, the same asymmetrical smile.
• 2010, Jasper Fforde, Shades of GreyI would simply waffle about her small, almost perfectly upswept, retroussé nose, and you'd consider me insane, and put me back.

Related terms

• pug-nosed