pact

[pakt] /pækt/
noun
1.
an agreement, covenant, or compact:
We made a pact not to argue any more.
2.
an agreement or treaty between two or more nations:
a pact between Germany and Italy.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English pact(e) < Middle French < Latin pactum, noun use of neuter of past participle of pacīscī to make a bargain, contract
Can be confused
packed, pact.
Examples from the web for pact
  • Room for manoeuvre in fiscal policy is limited because of the stability pact.
  • Yet the pact only gave each side a chance to breathe deeply and rearm for what would be a much bloodier war.
  • They said the pact is the first to include interactive programming for comedy and dramatic series.
  • The four-year pact calls for pay raises, bonuses, and eligibility for merit pay.
  • But the power-sharing pact looks increasingly moribund.
  • But whether or not the mercantilist pact can be justified in that way, its terms will probably have to change.
  • The stability and growth pact was designed to limit budget deficits, but nobody believed its sanctions would be enforced.
  • The left provocatively suggests an electoral pact with them.
  • Opinions were divided over the new pact's significance.
  • At any rate, the political suicide pact of sending money to corporations could be avoided.
British Dictionary definitions for pact

pact

/pækt/
noun
1.
an agreement or compact between two or more parties, nations, etc, for mutual advantage
Word Origin
C15: from Old French pacte, from Latin pactum, from pacīscī to agree
Word Origin and History for pact
n.

early 15c., from Old French pacte "agreement, treaty, compact" (14c.), from Latin pactum "agreement, contract, covenant," noun use of neuter past participle of pacisci "to covenant, to agree, make a treaty," from PIE root *pag- "fix, join together, unite, make firm" (cf. Sanskrit pasa- "cord, rope," Avestan pas- "to fetter," Greek pegnynai "to fix, make firm, fast or solid," Latin pangere "to fix, to fasten," Slavonic paž "wooden partition," Old English fegan "to join," fon "to catch seize").

Slang definitions & phrases for pact

pact

noun

An employment contract: a settlement of his Metro pact

verb

: MG Pacts Gable (1930s+)