Reconciles

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Restores friendly relations between parties who had conflicts ; settles disputes or differences to reach a resolution ; brings different ideas or elements into agreement or harmony
2. Brings opposing sides back together in peace ; resolves disagreements or conflicts by finding a solution ; aligns conflicting views or data so they are consistent
3. Mends relationships or ends hostilities between people or groups ; achieves an understanding or compromise in a disagreement ; harmonizes differing parts or opinions to work together

Etymology: One early English sense of "reconcile" had nothing to do with quarrels. It meant to consecrate a church again after it had been defiled, for instance by bloodshed. The verb was a matter of ritual purity before it described peace between people. The idea carried over easily, since both uses restore something to its proper, whole state. The root is Latin "reconciliare," from "re-," meaning "back" or "again," and "conciliare," "to unite or bring together." That verb came from "concilium," an assembly, formed from "com-," meaning "together," and "calare," "to call." An assembly is, literally, a calling together, so reconciling two parties means calling back together what had drifted apart.

Synonyms: resolves, settles, harmonizes, reunites, adjusts

Antonyms: disputes, divides, separates, alienates, conflicts