modus vivendi
1
9.6
- noun
- /ˈmoʊdəs vɪˈvɛndi/
- Formal
:
modus vivendi
- Through open dialogue, the two communities were able to establish a modus vivendi that allowed them to coexist peacefully.
- find a modus vivendi
Examples
-
To understand why this would be so, it is necessary to understand the modus vivendi as a bargain, a positive-sum game wherein each side gained something.
Academic text (1999) -
Caught in the uncomfortable intersection between two cultures, it appears that Alford was always able to find a modus vivendi.
Academic text (2002) -
The development of a modus vivendi with established political authorities.
Academic text (1990) -
Yet, one suspects the press has come to a comfortable modus vivendi with that pressure.
Academic text (2000) -
In fact, Turkey has increasingly become an example of this modus vivendi.
Academic text (2005) -
Time may be running out for establishing a stable modus vivendi between Japan and the United States or, for that matter, Europe.
Academic text (1990) -
Moreover, the conflict is not between two clearly defined camps; this leaves room for finding a reasonable modus vivendi.
Academic text (2013) -
And autonomy must continue to grow in both breadth and depth, or the current modus vivendi will collapse.
Academic text (1996) -
Eventually, the Right was able to pull back from the brink of self-destruction and fashion a modus vivendi for the 1993 congressional elections.
Academic text (2000) -
Arguably, this modus vivendi functioned as a stabilizing "safety valve" for the regime.
Academic text (1996)
Synonyms
363
2.5
An agreement where each side gives up something to reach a solution
41
4.2
An agreement both sides can accept
16
4.2
Living together in the same place at the same time, often peacefully despite differences
6
6.7
An act that brings people or groups back to peace with help from a neutral person
An agreement between people or groups reached after discussion
A way of making compromises to keep peace and avoid conflict
Surface Forms
Morphology
modus + vivendi
The phrase literally combines Latin 'modus' (method/way) with 'vivendi' (of living), so a learner who knew both parts could infer a literal sense like 'way of living'. However, as a conventional Latin loan meaning 'an arrangement or temporary compromise to coexist', the pragmatic sense (an agreed arrangement) is not fully predictable from the literal components—also learners typically lack knowledge of Latin morphology—so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The phrase modus vivendi comes from Latin: modus means 'way' and vivendi means 'of living'. Imagine two people or countries finding a simple way to live together, so the phrase now means 'an agreement to coexist' or 'a temporary compromise'.