détente
or de·tente
[dey-tahnt; French dey-tahnt]
- a relaxing of tension, especially between nations, as by negotiations or agreements.
Show More
Origin of détente
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for detente
Contemporary Examples
If Obama's strategy is to dial back the blue/red civil war to a detente, Franken's is to escalate it to World War III.
Historical Examples
The Ambassador quite appreciated that the purpose of the mission was to create a detente, as distinguished from an entente.
détente
- the relaxing or easing of tension, esp between nations
Show More
Word Origin
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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for detente
n.
1908 as a political term, a borrowing of French détente "loosening, slackening" (used in the Middle Ages for the catch of a crossbow), from Vulgar Latin detendita, fem. past participle of Latin detendere "loosen, release," from de- "from, away" (see de-) + tendere "stretch" (see tenet). The reference is to a "relaxing" in a political situation. The French word was earlier borrowed as detent (1680s) "catch which regulates the strike in a clock."
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
Show More
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.