Agreement

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈɡɹiːmənt/

Definitions

1. A situation where two or more parties share the same opinion or reach a mutual understanding about something
2. A state in which multiple parties come to a collective understanding or consensus regarding specific terms or conditions
3. A condition in which individuals or groups arrive at a shared understanding or acceptance of particular terms or ideas

Etymology: The English word has a near-twin in "agrément," a doublet that English borrowed separately and that kept its French accent. Both descend from Old French "agreement" and "agrement," which grew from the verb "agreer," meaning to find pleasing or to accept. That verb was built from "a-" (from Latin "ad," toward) and "gré," which came from Latin "grātum," "pleasing" or "welcome." So the original sense sits closer to "being pleasing to someone" than to a signed contract. The English noun passed through Middle English "agrement" before settling into its current spelling. It is simply "agree" with the suffix "-ment," from Latin "-mentum," which turns a verb into a noun for the result or state of an action. The meaning moved from personal pleasure or assent toward a shared understanding between parties, and the surviving French doublet "agrément" still keeps the older sense of graciousness or charm.

Synonyms: accord, consent, contract, treaty, understanding

Antonyms: disagreement, dispute, conflict, dissent, contention