modus vivendi

American  

[moh-duhs vi-ven-dee, -dahy] / ˈmoʊ dəs vɪˈvɛn di, -daɪ /

noun

plural

modi vivendi

1. manner of living; way of life; lifestyle.

2. a temporary arrangement between persons or parties pending a settlement of matters in debate.

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modus vivendi British  

/ ˈməʊdəs vɪˈvɛndiː, -ˈvɛndaɪ /

noun

1. a working arrangement between conflicting interests; practical compromise

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modus vivendi Cultural  

1. A compromise between adversaries that allows them to get along temporarily: “During the separation, my parents adopted a modus vivendi that enabled them to tolerate each other.” From Latin, meaning a “method of living.”

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Etymology

Origin of modus vivendi

First recorded in 1875–80, modus vivendi is from Latin modus vivendī “mode of living”

Example Sentences

Mr. Sharabi and his fellow hostages develop a modus vivendi with their captors.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are also economic targets Iran could strike, but this would antagonise its Gulf Arab neighbours who have recently reached an uneasy modus vivendi with the Islamic Republic.

From BBC

Mr Deibert says that the gangs appear to have found a "modus vivendi" while they try to tear down the pillars of the state.

From BBC

Since that war, Hezbollah and Israel have maintained a respectful but wary modus vivendi, with the occasional tit-for-tat attack but little more.

From Los Angeles Times

“But absent a United States strategy in the region, people are trying to just find a workable modus vivendi.”

From Washington Post