dénotent

16:02 Jun 28, 2019 

Don't! Je boirai la coupe... "Out of tune" is good as it reflects détonner (i.e. ne pas être en harmonie avec).

15:33 Jun 28, 2019 

I would (possibly at a stretch!)be prepared to go along with you. However, the use of the word "dénoter" is so frequent, used absolutely, to mean 'to be out of place' that I stand by my first remarks! In any case, a musical term would be quite possible - "those who clash with/are out of tune with /are discordant....."

15:28 Jun 28, 2019 

In that case,"off-key" is perfect because it maintains the musical nuance.

15:28 Jun 28, 2019 

I am happy to amend my entry Ph_B! (and edit this one later if necessary!) This particular usage is so frequent. I too have looked in vain for possible meanings of dénoter other than 'signaler, indiquer'. I know I tend to be quite prescriptive (having been a teacher doesn't help!) so I did check beforehand... :-)

15:24 Jun 28, 2019 

This COULD possibly be a creative use of dénoter in the sense of "se dénoter par [x qualité]." In other words, "stand out": ...those who stand out, who go off the rails, who disturb.

It's a literary text, after all. Some poetic license is allowed.

15:05 Jun 28, 2019 

I'm starting to wonder now... Katsy's comment made me look at my earlier comment and I think I meant: Son attitude détonne. I can't find any ex. where dénoter is used without a direct object. It wouldn't be right to delete my post since it's been referred to, but I wish I could! Anyway, I agree that the writer probably meant détonner.

14:21 Jun 28, 2019 

A frequent misuse... I would agree with the sense suggested by Ph_B in DB and the answer suggested by Daryo. However, even if many people are heard to say "dénoter" (which has the same meaning as to denote in English) instead of détonner, it is a misuse. Author here definitely means 'to stand out'/'to be out of place'.CNRTL and Academy will confirm, but I have chosen a link which is is less indicative of "stick-in-the-mud' expression. BTW it is the verb "détonner" which references music
http://parler-francais.eklablog.com/denoter-detonner-a310979...

10:18 Jun 28, 2019 

I wonder if it's possible to reproduce the wordplay. Three near synonyms beginning with "dis"?

08:24 Jun 28, 2019 

Just to confirm that when used intransitively, it describes something that's noticeable because it doesn't conform to rules/accepted behaviour, etc. Son attitude dénote. > "People notice her because her behaviour is different."[SEE BELOW]