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cordon sanitaire

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

Definition of cordon sanitaire

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

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Origin and Etymology of cordon sanitaire

French, literally, sanitary cordon (quarantine line)

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