cordon sanitaire

noun cor·don sa·ni·taire \kȯr-ˌdōⁿ-sä-nē-ˈter\

Definition of CORDON SANITAIRE

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

French, literally, sanitary cordon (quarantine line)

First Known Use: 1920

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