flag of truce

American  

noun

Military.

1. a white flag displayed as an invitation to the enemy to confer, or carried as a sign of peaceful intention by one sent to deal with the enemy.

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flag of truce British  

noun

1. a white flag indicating the peaceful intent of its bearer or an invitation to an enemy to negotiate

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Etymology

Origin of flag of truce

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

flag of truce

The first flag of truce conveyed a demand from Forrest for the unconditional surrender of the fort.

From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2019

Black Kettle carried an American Flag and a white flag of truce presented to him by President Lincoln; White Antelope wore a peace medal, also from Lincoln.

From Time ● Nov. 29, 2016

As a handful of U.S. special operations troops got out, two Taliban approached, one holding a makeshift white flag of truce and the other leading Bergdahl.

From Reuters ● Jun. 5, 2014

He had barely picked up his pen to finally begin that report before an adjutant interrupted with another message: a rebel officer, under flag of truce, had approached the causeway of Fort Monroe.

From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2011

In a message sent under a flag of truce, Washington told British General Henry Clinton, in New York, that he would spare André’s life if Clinton turned over Arnold.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen