Word of the Day

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

rapprochement

\rap-rosh-MAWN\ , noun;

The establishment or state of cordial relations.

Read the full entry|See synonyms|Comment on today's word

Quotes:

Mikhail Gorbachev and his team of self-described reformers were publicly heralding a new era of rapprochement with the West.

-- Ken Alibek with Stephen Handelman, Biohazard

The documentary record of initial White House-level efforts to initiate rapprochement with China . . . remains slim.

-- William Burr, The Kissinger Transcripts

But I have no desire for some kissy rapprochement.

-- Zoë Heller, Everything You Know

Origin:

Rapprochement comes from the French, from rapprocher, "to bring nearer," from Middle French, from re- + approcher, "to approach," from Old French aprochier, from Late Latin appropire, from Latin ad- + propius, "nearer," comparative of prope, "near."