English

Noun

arrière-pensée ‎(plural arrière-pensées)

1. an ulterior motive
   • 1884, Henry James, "The Path of Duty" in The English Illustrated Magazine 2(15): 240–256.

     He knew that I had guessed his arrière-pensée, but he let me off for the moment, for which I was thankful; either because he was still ashamed of it, or because he supposed I was reserving myself for the catastrophe,—should it occur.

French

Etymology

From arrière- +‎ pensée

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aʁjɛʁpɑ̃se/

Noun

arrière-pensée f ‎(plural arrière-pensées)

1. ulterior motive
2. doubt, reservation