balance of terror

balance of terror

 
noun
the distribution of nuclear arms among nations such that no nation will initiate an attack for fear of retaliation: maintaining the balance of terror between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Origin:
1955–60
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Balance of terror is always a great word to know.
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a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

balance of terror definition


The balance of power between nations that are equipped with nuclear weapons, stemming from their fear of mutual annihilation in a nuclear war.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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