armed neutrality

noun

military preparedness without commitment, especially as the expressed policy of a neutral nation in wartime; readiness to counter with force an invasion of rights by any belligerent power.

First recorded in 1770–80

There might be in the school boys base enough to charge that he lacked spirit in his attitude of armed neutrality.

The states-general voted to join the armed neutrality and, while disavowing the treaty, did not proceed against the pensionary.

So, by-the-by, will a perch, the only fish that can live with pike on terms of armed neutrality or amicable defiance.

For three weeks there had been a kind of armed neutrality between Jacqueline Ralston and her new cousin.

This plan is a sort of armed neutrality which has many advocates.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse