reconcile

Reconcile is defined as to make two people friendly again, to cause someone to accept a decision or action, or to match the details of two accounts.

(verb)

  1. An example of reconcile is the act of two friends making up after a bitter fight.
  2. An example of reconcile is for a person to be forced into a particular career.
  3. An example of reconcile is to check your checking book balance against your checking statement.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See reconcile in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb reconciled, reconciling

  1. to make friendly again or win over to a friendly attitude
  2. to settle (a quarrel, difference, etc.)
  3. to make (arguments, ideas, texts, accounts, etc.) consistent, compatible, etc.; bring into harmony
  4. to make content, submissive, or acquiescent (to): to become reconciled to one's lot

Origin: ME reconsilen < OFr reconcilier < L reconciliare: see re- & conciliate

See reconcile in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb rec·on·ciled, rec·on·cil·ing, rec·on·ciles
verb, transitive
  1. To reestablish a close relationship between.
  2. To settle or resolve.
  3. To bring (oneself) to accept: He finally reconciled himself to the change in management.
  4. To make compatible or consistent: reconcile my way of thinking with yours. See Synonyms at adapt.
verb, intransitive
  1. To reestablish a close relationship, as in marriage: The estranged couple reconciled after a year.
  2. To become compatible or consistent: The figures would not reconcile.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English reconcilen

Origin: , from Old French reconcilier

Origin: , from Latin reconciliāre

Origin: : re-, re-

Origin: + conciliāre, to conciliate; see conciliate

.

Related Forms:

  • recˈon·cileˌment noun
  • recˈon·cilˌer noun
  • recˌon·cilˈi·a·toˌry (-sĭlˈē-ə-tôrˌē, -tōrˌē) adjective

Learn more about reconcile

Related Articles

link/cite print suggestion box