Chinese Wall Definition
noun
A barrier to communication, understanding, or action.
American Heritage
Something erected or established as a barrier; specif., a rule, procedure, etc. established to prevent the flow of information between different parts of an organization.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Chinese Wall
Noun
Singular:
Chinese wallPlural:
chinese-wallsOrigin of Chinese Wall
The expression Chinese Wall comes from the Great Wall of China and became a metaphor of barriers, known to go back to the United States stock market crash of 1929. The U.S. government saw the need to maintain separation (an information barrier) between investment bankers and brokerage firms, to limit the conflict of interest between the two. The first use of Chinese Wall in the general context of keeping confidentiality is unclear.
From Wiktionary
After the Great Wall of China
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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