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rapprochement

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rap⋅proche⋅ment

[rap-rohsh-mahn; Fr. ra-prawsh-mahn]
–noun
an establishment or reestablishment of harmonious relations: a rapprochement reached between warring factions.

Origin:
1800–10; < F, equiv. to rapproche(r) to bring near, bring together (r(e)- re- + approcher; see approach ) + -ment -ment


reconciliation, understanding, accommodation.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To rapprochement
rap·proche·ment   (rä'prôsh-mäɴ')   
n.  
  1. A reestablishing of cordial relations, as between two countries.

  2. The state of reconciliation or of cordial relations.


[French, from rapprocher, to bring together : re-, re- + approcher, to approach (from Old French aprochier; see approach).]
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

rapprochement [(rap-rohsh-mahnn, rah-prawsh-mahnn)]

A closer approach of two groups to each other. Rapprochement, a French term, is often applied to two nations, especially ones that become reconciled after relations between them have worsened.

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

rapprochement 
1809, from Fr. rapprochement "reunion, reconciliation," from rapprocher "bring near," from O.Fr. re- "back, again" + aprochier (see approach).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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