A WORD A DAY.
COTERIE. A select group of acquaintances, chosen not for money, position, or pride, but for congeniality, may be called a coterie. Reverting as it does to the French or old French word for cottage, it is evident that those grouped in a coterie must be intimates with similar tastes and allied interests. A rather permanent grouping is implied but is not necessary. This group may meet for social' or serious purposes but is distinguished from a “clique” in its lack of arrogance. A “clique” suggests exclusiveness for superficial reasons, a narrow company, as well as select. " * The term coterie has sometimes been badly used to denote a circle of followers or imitators, as in “The actor was always surrounded by a coterie of admirers.” “Group” or “body” or “party” would have been more suitable there. In co-te-rie the Anglicized pronunciation is preferred, accenting the first syllabic. Sound the o as in cote, e as in maker, ie as i in till. “We formed a coterie in our neighbourhood.”
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19301211.2.84
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 21265, 11 December 1930, Page 6
Word Count
172A WORD A DAY. Southland Times, Issue 21265, 11 December 1930, Page 6
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