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

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

Meanwhile, Arnold arranged for a boat, under a flag of truce, to take a Tory woman and her children across the Hudson to an area held by the British.

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