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commercia belli

plural noun
com·​mer·​cia bel·​li | \ kə¦mərsh(ē)əˈbeˌlī, -(ˌ)lē; kə¦merkēəˈbeˌlē\

Definition of commercia belli

: agreements between enemy states (as truces, capitulations, safe-conducts, and cartels)

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History and Etymology for commercia belli

New Latin, from Latin, plural of commercium belli stipulation, treaty, literally, intercourse of war

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