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désamorcer

to defuse, to deactivate

verb deh-zah-mor-SEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Usage Note

Désamorcer literally means to remove the primer (amorce) from an explosive device, hence 'to defuse a bomb'. Figuratively, it is widely used to mean 'to defuse a conflict' or 'to head off a crisis': désamorcer une crise. The stem verb amorcer means 'to prime' or 'to bait', and is also used for priming a pump.

Examples

"Elle a réussi à désamorcer la dispute."

Natural Translation

She managed to defuse the argument.

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