rapprochement

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).]

(ra-prawsh-MAWN)

noun
Establishing or reestablishing of cordial relation, especially between nations.

Etymology
From French rapprochement, from rapprocher (to bring together), from re- + approcher (to approach), from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- + propius (nearer), from prope (near).

Usage
"Japanese anger over the kidnappings and North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions have stalled the rapprochement process between Tokyo and Pyongyang." — Japan Seeks Malaysia's Help to Resolve N Korea Issues; The Borneo Bulletin (Brunei); Nov 11, 2003.

"There were signs of rapprochement between Kibaki and Karume during latter's wife's funeral in March this year." — Nixon Nganga; Kiambu Leaders Plot How to Join Narc; East African Standard (Nairobi, Kenya); Oct 26, 2003. Next week: Autumn Contributing Membership Drive.

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Très clever! This Townhall.com column used a French word to describe a reconciliation between the US and the French:

"Not so long ago, some of our congressmen were so angry at the French that 'french fries' were booted off the menu in the House dining room. (The words, not the potatoes.) But something of a rapprochement approaches."

Link: Townhall.com::Vive this difference::By Suzanne Fields

Posted September 19, 2006.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

noun

A reestablishment of friendship or harmony: conciliation, reconcilement, reconciliation. See love/hatred.

n

Definition: restoration of harmony
Antonyms: disagreement, trouble, upset

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(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.

IN BRIEF: The establishment of friendly relations.

Embassies around the world work on rapprochement with the people of the countries where they are located.

Tutor's tip: This word was used in the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - tilnærmelse (politik), genoptagelse (af diplomatiske forbindelser)

Nederlands (Dutch)
toenadering, hervatting van goede betrekkingen

Français (French)
n. - rapprochement

Deutsch (German)
n. - Wiederannäherung

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - προσέγγιση (αντιπάλων), επανασύνδεση σχέσεων

Italiano (Italian)
riconciliazione

Português (Portuguese)
n. - aproximação (f)

Русский (Russian)
сближение

Español (Spanish)
n. - acercamiento, aproximación

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - (pol) förnyat närmande

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
和睦, 亲善

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 和睦, 親善

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 친선, 국교 회복, 친교

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 友好回復, 和解, 親善

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) التقارب, إقامه العلاقات الوديه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮התיידדות מחדש, פיוס‬

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