Saboteuse: meaning, definitions and examples
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saboteuse
[ˌsæb.əˈtɜːz ]
Definition
sabotage operations
A woman who engages in sabotage activities, especially as a member of a group of wartime saboteurs.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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saboteuse |
This is the female equivalent of 'saboteur'. It is used in the same contexts but specifically refers to a woman who engages in sabotage.
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saboteur |
This term is used to describe someone, often in a clandestine or undercover manner, who deliberately destroys or damages something, typically for political or military advantage.
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sabotagist |
This term is less commonly used but also refers to someone who engages in sabotage. It can refer to anyone involved in sabotage regardless of gender.
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Examples of usage
- She was known as the most skilled saboteuse in the resistance movement.
- The saboteuse carefully planted explosives to disrupt the enemy's communication lines.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from French, where 'saboter' means to sabotage, with the feminine form 'saboteuse' emerging to denote a female agent.
- Originally, the term referred to the act of destroying property, often linked to labor strikes in the late 19th century.
- The concept is tied to the French term 'sabot', which means wooden shoe, suggesting that workers would throw their shoes into machinery to halt production.
Historical Context
- During World War II, individuals who engaged in sabotage, including women, were crucial to undermining enemy operations.
- Resistance movements across Europe saw many women taking on roles as saboteurs, using their social standing to gather intelligence and disrupt enemy supply lines.
- The term has evolved to describe actions in various contexts, from corporate espionage to social movements, where individuals aim to challenge authority.
Pop Culture
- Saboteuses have been depicted as femme fatales in various films, highlighting their cunning and strategic roles in plots.
- Popular video games often feature female characters who embody the saboteuse archetype, using stealth and cunning to outsmart opponents.
- In literature, characters who fit the saboteuse mold often challenge social norms, representing resistance against established order.
Psychology
- The motivation behind sabotage can stem from feelings of frustration, empowerment, or a desire for change.
- Psychologically, saboteuses are sometimes framed as rebels against authority, reflecting deeper societal issues or personal grievances.
- Research shows that women in leadership roles may adopt saboteur tactics when feeling marginalized, using disruption to voice dissent.
Modern Use
- In business, the concept has shifted to include those who undermine company policies or culture as a form of protest.
- Social movements have seen women labeled as saboteuses for their disruptive tactics, redefining how activism is viewed in society.
- In online communities, individuals who disrupt harmful conversations might be celebrated as saboteuses, showing that resistance can take various forms.
Translations
Translations of the word "saboteuse" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sabotadora
🇮🇳 साबोट्यूस (sabotyūs)
🇩🇪 Saboteurin
🇮🇩 sabotase
🇺🇦 диверсантка
🇵🇱 sabotażystka
🇯🇵 サボテューズ (Sabotyūzu)
🇫🇷 saboteuse
🇪🇸 saboteadora
🇹🇷 sabotajcı
🇰🇷 사보타주하는 사람 (sabotajhaneun salam)
🇸🇦 مخربة (mukharriba)
🇨🇿 sabotérka
🇸🇰 sabotérka
🇨🇳 破坏者 (pòhuàizhě)
🇸🇮 saboterka
🇮🇸 skaðvaldur
🇰🇿 диверсант
🇬🇪 დივერსანტი (diversanti)
🇦🇿 sabotajçı
🇲🇽 saboteadora