conte
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈkɔnt// UK //kəntˈɛ// con·te
n. a short story that is usually about an adventure or a magical event. It is often written in a simple but elegant style.
n. a short narrative, typically focusing on adventure or imaginative events. Often associated with the oral tradition or the literary fairy tales of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The author wrote a short conte about a lost kingdom.
The professor explained that the conte was a popular literary form in the French salons of the late seventeenth century.
While the novel allows for extensive character development, the conte relies on a swift, economical narrative pace to deliver its moral or fantastical conclusion.
Usage
Often used in a literary context to refer specifically to French short stories or philosophical tales.