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Definition of pact - 4 dictionary results

pact

  [pakt]
Use pact in a Sentence
–noun
1. an agreement, covenant, or compact: We made a pact not to argue any more.
2. an agreement or treaty between two or more nations: a pact between Germany and Italy.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME pact(e) < MF < L pactum, n. use of neut. of ptp. of pacīscī to make a bargain, contract
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pact   (pākt)   
n.  
  1. A formal agreement, such as one between nations; a treaty.
  2. A compact; a bargain.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pactum, from neuter sing. past participle of pacīscī, to agree; see pag- in Indo-European roots.]
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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Pact

Pact\, n. [L. pactum, fr. paciscere to make a bargain or contract, fr. pacere to settle, or agree upon; cf. pangere to fasten, Gr. ?, Skr. p[=a]ca bond, and E. fang: cf. F. pacie. Cf. Peace, Fadge, v.] An agreement; a league; a compact; a covenant. --Bacon.

The engagement and pact of society whish goes by the name of the constitution. --Burke.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : pact
Spanish: pacto,
German: der Pakt,
Japanese: 協定
More Translations »

pact 
1429, from M.Fr. pacte "agreement, treaty, compact," from L. pactum "contract, covenant," from neut. pp. of pacisci "to covenant, to agree, make a treaty," from PIE base *pag- "fix, join together, unite, make firm" (cf. Skt. pasa- "cord, rope," Avestan pas- "to fetter," Gk. pegnynai "to fix, make firm, fast or solid," L. pangere "to fix, to fasten," Rus. pazu "joint," O.E. fegan "to join," fon "to catch seize").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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