laissez-passer

American  

[les-ey-pa-sey, le-sey-pah-sey] / ˈlɛs eɪ pæˈseɪ, lɛ seɪ pɑˈseɪ /

noun

plural

laissez-passers,

plural

laissez-passer

1. a permit; pass, especially one issued in lieu of a passport.

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laissez passer British  

/ lese pase /

noun

1. a document granting unrestricted access or movement to its holder

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Etymology

Origin of laissez-passer

< French: literally, allow to pass

Example Sentences

He carried a laissez-passer from the Eritrean government, allowing him a one-time entry into the country.

From New York Times • Aug. 31, 2016

In a joint letter to the foreign ministers of six Balkan countries, seen by Reuters, de Maiziere and Steinmeier asked them to accept so-called "laissez-passer" documents.

From Reuters • Oct. 23, 2015

An EU "laissez-passer" is suggested to aid procedures in home or transit countries and should become "the standard travel document for the expulsion of third-country nationals".

From Reuters • Oct. 7, 2015

After surrendering his French passport to the district attorney’s office, his lawyers said they would get the laissez-passer, which was in Strauss-Kahn’s Washington office, and turn it over.

From BusinessWeek • Jun. 16, 2011

He accepted their credentials, destroyed them, and replaced them with a laissez-passer signed by the mayor of Laon.

From The Lost Road by Davis, Richard Harding