Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Oct 25, 2011
This week's theme
Whose what?

This week's words
fool's errand
gentlemen's agreement
dogsbody
beginner's luck
driver's seat

Internet Anagram Server
I, Rearrangement Servant
May I try your name?
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

gentlemen's agreement

PRONUNCIATION:
(JEN-tl-manz uh-GREE-muhnt)

MEANING:
noun: An agreement that's based on honor and not legally binding.

ETYMOLOGY:
From the idea that a gentleman (a civilized man of good standing) will honor an agreement he has entered. Earliest documented use: 1886.

USAGE:
"Since the Iran-Iraq war, the two countries have had a gentlemen's agreement to maintain similar quotas within OPEC."
Carola Hoyos; Seismic Shock As Demand Shifts East; The Financial Times (London, UK); Mar 29, 2010.

See more usage examples of gentlemen's agreement in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err. -Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith