an/the olive branch



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an/the olive branch

A symbol, expression, or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. Used most commonly in the phrase "hold out/offer (someone) an/the olive branch." The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering the olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to hold out the olive branch.
See also: branch, olive

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Noak-Swedish
Madeleinema-də-LEN (French), mad-LEN (French), MAD-ə-lin (English), MAD-ə-lien (English)French, English, Swedish
Tegan-Welsh
SheelaghSHEE-ləEnglish (Rare)
Alojzija-Slovene, Croatian
Laurie['lɔ:ri]