modus vivendi

[ moh-duhs vi-ven-dee, -dahy ]

See synonyms for modus vivendi on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural mo·di vi·ven·di

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

manner of living; way of life; lifestyle.
a temporary arrangement between persons or parties pending a settlement of matters in debate.

Origin of modus vivendi

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

Words Nearby modus vivendi

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use modus vivendi in a sentence

In fact, my whole modus vivendi is dictated by the needs of writing.
Literary City: Boris Akunin, a Dissident in Moscow | Henry Krempels | April 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
By means of an accepted code of rules a kind of modus vivendi in this respect is obtained.
A Cursory History of Swearing | Julian Sharman
Diplomats do not flourish such disagreeable truths in each other's faces; they look for a modus vivendi , and find it.
The Interest of America in Sea Power, Present and Future | A. T. Mahan
They must establish some modus vivendi, and it must be founded on justice.
Religion and the War | Various
Some modus vivendi between section and society will doubtless be found.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, August 1899 | Various

Thus, so far as any appeal to particular facts is concerned, it does not appear that there is any modus vivendi.
Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume II (of 3) | George John Romanes

British Dictionary definitions for modus vivendi

modus vivendi

/ (ˈməʊdəs vɪˈvɛndiː, -ˈvɛndaɪ) /

nounplural modi vivendi (ˈməʊdiː vɪˈvɛndiː, ˈməʊdaɪ vɪˈvɛndaɪ)

a working arrangement between conflicting interests; practical compromise

Origin of modus vivendi

C19: from Latin: way of living

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

Cultural definitions for modus vivendi

modus vivendi

[ (moh-duhs vi-ven-dee, vi-ven-deye) ]

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.”

Browse