Détente

Détente in Diplomatic Law

Détente

An easing of tension between states.

Grammar

This term is a noun.

Etimology of Detente

(You may find detente at the world legal encyclopedia and the etimology of more terms).

1908 as a political term, a borrowing of French détente “loosening, slackening” (used in the Middle Ages for the catch of a crossbow), from Vulgar Latin detendita, femenine past participle of Latin detendere “loosen, release,” from de- “from, away” (see de-) + tendere “stretch,” from PIE root *ten- “to stretch.” The reference is to a “relaxing” in a political situation. The French word was earlier borrowed as detent (1680s) “catch which regulates the strike in a clock.”

Resources

See Also

• Diplomacy entries in the World Encyclopedia
• Diplomacy entries in the American Legal Encyclopedia

Further Reading

• Satow’s Diplomatic Practice, Ivor Roberts
• Modern Diplomacy, R.P. Barnston