olive branch

American  

[ol-iv branch] / ˈɒl ɪv ˌbræntʃ /

noun

1. a branch of the olive tree as an emblem of peace.

   One of their national emblems is a white dove clutching the olive branch of peace.

2. any token of peace.

   The new prime minister has pursued a reconciliation strategy, extending an olive branch to dissidents and rebel groups.

   Still in a snit, she snubbed his olive branch a few days later by blocking his phone call.

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olive branch British  

noun

1. a branch of an olive tree used to symbolize peace

2. any offering of peace or conciliation

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olive branch Cultural  

1. The branch brought by a dove to Noah's ark signifying that the flood was receding.

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olive branch Idioms  

1. A symbol of peace, an offering of good will, as in They feuded for years, but finally the Hatfields came over bearing an olive branch. This term is alluded to in the Bible (Genesis 8:11), where the dove comes to Noah after the flood with an olive leaf in its mouth. [c. 1600]

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Discover More

An olive branch is now regarded as a sign of peace, as is the dove. (See hawks and doves.)

Etymology

Origin of olive branch

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English

Example Sentences

But as he finished answering my question, was this an olive branch to Europe from Russia's president?

From BBC

That olive branch to member states came after months of diplomatic talks paving the way for Wednesday's meeting.

From BBC

The newly relaxed legal and regulatory atmosphere isn’t an olive branch to the international crypto traders, however.

From Barron's

That was seen as an olive branch to the business community and the police force, but Tisch hasn’t said if she will accept the offer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since the primary, however, Mamdani has extended an olive branch to business critics, while softening his more controversial positions, including apologizing for past statements that harshly criticized the police.

From Barron's

Related Words

• overture