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detente

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dé⋅tente

  [dey-tahnt; Fr. dey-tahnt]
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–noun, plural -tentes  [-tahnts; Fr. -tahnt] .
a relaxing of tension, esp. between nations, as by negotiations or agreements.
Also, de⋅tente.

Origin:
1905–10; < F; see detent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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dé·tente   (dā-tänt', -täɴt')   
n.  

  1. A relaxing or easing, as of tension between rivals.

  2. A policy toward a rival nation or bloc characterized by increased diplomatic, commercial, and cultural contact and a desire to reduce tensions, as through negotiation or talks.


[French; see detent.]
dé·tent'ist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

détente [(day-tahnt)]

A period of lessening tension between two major national powers, or a policy designed to lessen that tension. Détente presupposes that the two powers will continue to disagree but seeks to reduce the occasions of conflict.

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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Word Origin & History

detente 
political term is 1908 borrowing of Fr. détente "loosening, slackening," used in O.Fr. for the catch of a crossbow, from V.L. detendita, fem. pp. of detendere "loosen, release," from de- "from, away" + tendere "stretch" (see tenet).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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