modus vivendi

From Latin modus vīvendī, from modus (“way, manner”) + genitive gerund form of vīvere (“to live”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌməʊdəs vɪˈvɛndiː/
• enPR: mōʹdus vivĕnʹdi

modus vivendi

1. A way of living, especially a working arrangement to allow for peaceful coexistence between two parties in spite of differences or unresolved disputes. [from 19th c.]
   • 1931, H. P. Lovecraft, The Whisperer in Darkness, chapter 5:

     The alien beings desire to know mankind more fully, and to have a few of mankind’s philosophic and scientific leaders know more about them. With such an exchange of knowledge all perils will pass, and a satisfactory modus vivendi be established.

   • 2009, Karen Armstrong, The Case for God, Vintage 2010, p. 53:

     The Persians were reviewing the legal systems of the subject peoples to make sure that they were compatible with imperial security, and Ezra had probably worked out a satisfactory modus vivendi between Mosaic and Persian jurisprudence.

From Latin modus vīvendī (literally “manner of living”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈmo.ðus βiˈβen.di/

modus vivendi m (plural modus vivendi)

1. modus vivendi

• modus operandi