Detente

[scw1217]

Another word I came across while reading. It appears to be straight from the French version, minus the punctuation mark.

Dictionary.com'sdefinitions:

dé·tente /deɪˈtɑnt; Fr. deɪˈtɑ̃t/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dey-tahnt; Fr. dey-tahnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -tentes /-ˈtɑnts; Fr. -ˈtɑ̃t/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[-tahnts; Fr. -tahnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation.
a relaxing of tension, esp. between nations, as by negotiations or agreements.
Also, de·tente.
[Origin: 1905–10; < F; see detent]

dé·tente (dā-tänt', -täɴt') Pronunciation Key
n.
1. A relaxing or easing, as of tension between rivals.
2. A policy toward a rival nation or bloc characterized by increased diplomatic, commercial, and cultural contact and a desire to reduce tensions, as through negotiation or talks.
[French; see detent.]
dé·tent'ist n.

detente
political term is 1908 borrowing of Fr. détente "loosening, slackening," used in O.Fr. for the catch of a crossbow, from V.L. detendita, fem. pp. of detendere "loosen, release," from de- "from, away" + tendere "stretch" (see tenet).

[Perry]

I've known the word for years, but never stopped to think about its etymology, or its link to the crossbow.

[Stargzer]

And all along I thought detente was de place where de Boy Scouts slept ... no, wait a minute, that's detent. Listen!

[scw1217]

And all along I thought detente was de place where de Boy Scouts slept ... no, wait a minute, that's detent. Listen!

Perhaps we should pronounce it with the French accent instead!

[sluggo]

Larry, you're just bucking for detention...

One of those words that alters spelling to put on a slightly different hat, but from the same root

Detent -commonly applied to an electronic control which has a neutral or nominal position available through a felt click, such as the centre position of a left/right stereo balance

Actually I've only encountered this use in written English, and it never occurred to me it should be pronounced as Bartleby renders above.

[skinem]

I can 't hear or see this word without thinking about Kissenger and Nixon...