raison dêtre


rai•son d'ê•tre

(ˈreɪ zoʊn ˈdɛ trə, ˈrɛz ɔ̃)

n., pl. rai•sons d'ê•tre (ˈreɪ zoʊnz ˈdɛ trə, ˈrɛz ɔ̃) reason for existence. [1865–70; < French]