Saboteuse: meaning, definitions and examples

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saboteuse

 

[ˌsæb.əˈtɜːz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

sabotage operations

A woman who engages in sabotage activities, especially as a member of a group of wartime saboteurs.

Synonyms

sabotagist, saboteur.

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Word Description / Examples
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.

  • The resistance group knew there was a saboteuse among them.
  • A saboteuse was responsible for the railway disruption.
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.

  • The factory was shut down due to the actions of a saboteur.
  • They suspected the saboteur was leaking company secrets.
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.

  • The police arrested the suspected sabotagist after the incident.
  • It was clear that the fire was deliberately set by a sabotagist.

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