détente
or de·tente
[ dey-tahnt; French dey-tahnt ]
/ deɪˈtɑnt; French deɪˈtɑ̃t /
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noun, plural dé·tentes [dey-tahnts; French dey-tahnt]. /deɪˈtɑnts; French deɪˈtɑ̃t/.
a relaxing of tension, especially between nations, as by negotiations or agreements.
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Origin of détente
First recorded in 1905–10; from French; see origin at detent
Words nearby détente
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use détente in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for détente
détente
/ (deɪˈtɑːnt, French detɑ̃t) /
noun
the relaxing or easing of tension, esp between nations
Word Origin for détente
French, literally: a loosening, from Old French destendre to release, from tendre to stretch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Cultural definitions for détente
détente
[ (day-tahnt) ]
A period of lessening tension between two major national powers, or a policy designed to lessen that tension. Détente presupposes that the two powers will continue to disagree but seeks to reduce the occasions of conflict.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.