olive branch
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈɒlɪv bɹɑːntʃ/
ipa: /ˈɑlɪv bɹæntʃ/
Forms: form: olive branches
Etymology: The olive branch has been regarded as a symbol of peace since Ancient Greek times. For example, in Virgil’s Aeneid (written between 29 and 19 B.C.E.), Aeneas holds an olive branch and declares that it bears the following message: “The Trojans and their Chief / Bring holy peace; and beg the King’s relief.” The symbolism was strengthened by the reference in Genesis 8:11 of the Bible to Noah sending out a dove from the Ark which returns bearing an olive leaf in its beak, thus showing that the Great Flood is receding.
Senses: examples: text: I appeal to you to enable our people to establish national independent sovereignty over its own land. / Today I have come bearing an olive branch and a freedom-fighter's gun. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat: do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. / War flares up in Palestine, and yet it is in Palestine that peace will be born.
ref: 1974 November 13, Yasser Arafat, “Agenda Item 108: Question of Palestine”, in United Nations General Assembly Twenty-ninth Session Official Records: 2282nd Plenary Meeting, A/PV.2282 and Corr.1, archived from the original on 19 Jun 2017, paragraphs 81–83:
glosses: A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace.
examples: text: His [George W. Bush's] remarks came after Britain offered a diplomatic olive branch to Iran earlier in the day to try to secure an early release of the prisoners.
ref: 2007 April 1, Ned Temko, Mark Townsend, Jason Burke, “Iran snubs UK olive branch: George Bush denounces capture and calls for hostages to be freed”, in The Observer, London, archived from the original on 03 Oct 2014:
text: On immigration in particular, the change of tone was jarring, even from within the speech itself. Amidst warning of the threats posed by illegal immigration to jobs and safety, the president [Donald Trump] seemingly extended an olive branch to his opponents.
ref: 2017 March 1, Anthony Zurcher, “Trump addresses Congress: A kinder, gentler president”, in BBC News, archived from the original on 05 Jun 2017:
text: Beijing has offered some olive branches. On Thursday, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said China would welcome a visit from U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in response to Ms. Yellen’s statement earlier this week that she still hoped to go.
ref: 2023 February 10, Vivian Wang, “China, Still Trying to Play Down Balloon, Finds It’s Getting Harder to Do”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 15 Mar 2023:
text: Mr. Ramaphosa entered the meeting seemingly optimistic about maintaining a cordial conversation with Mr. Trump. He offered olive branches to Mr. Trump, including a book about golf. He complimented Mr. Trump’s décor in the Oval Office.
ref: 2025 May 21, Erica L. Green, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, “Trump Lectures South African President in Televised Oval Office Confrontation”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 22 May 2025:
glosses: Any symbol of peace, or a peace offering to an adversary to show goodwill and in the hope of securing peace.
glosses: Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: A branch of an olive tree.
Derived terms: topics: military
war
government
politics
aviation
aeronautics
aerospace
engineering
business
physical-sciences
natural-sciences
word: Olive Branch route