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cordon sanitaire

noun
cor·​don sa·​ni·​taire | \ kȯr-ˌdōⁿ-sä-nē-ˈter How to pronounce cordon sanitaire (audio) \

Definition of cordon sanitaire

: a protective barrier (as of buffer states) against a potentially aggressive nation or a dangerous influence (such as an ideology)

First Known Use of cordon sanitaire

1920, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cordon sanitaire

borrowed from French, literally, "sanitary cordon," originally in reference to a line of military posts or other barriers enclosing a community stricken by an infectious disease

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