Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

olive branch

/ˈɑlɪv bɹæntʃ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.97 in modern English

Syllables: olive branch
IPA: /ˈɑlɪv bɹæntʃ/

21

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

1

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace.

noun

Any symbol of peace, or a peace offering to an adversary to show goodwill and in the hope of securing peace.

noun

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: A branch of an olive tree.

verb

Alternative form of olive-branch.

Example Sentences

"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."
"extend an olive branch"
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."

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.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɑlɪv bɹæntʃ/
British English: /ˈɒlɪv bɹɑːntʃ/

Inflected Forms

olive branches (plural) olive branches (present, singular) olive branching (participle, present) olive branched (participle, past) olive branched (past)

Phrases

Olive Branch route

Synonyms

peace offering

Questions

How do you pronounce olive branch?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɑlɪv bɹæntʃ/.
What does olive branch mean?: A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace.
Where does olive branch come from?: 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.

How to pronounce olive branch

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “olive branch”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɑlɪv bɹæntʃ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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