rendezvous
rendezvous Lexical Profile
rendezvous Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A prearranged meeting at an agreed time and place, often carrying romantic or secretive connotations.
"The two journalists arranged a quiet rendezvous at a downtown cafe to exchange the documents."
A designated place where people, ships, or spacecraft regularly meet or assemble by arrangement.
"The small harbor bistro served as a popular rendezvous for local sailors and artists."
An orbital maneuver in which two spacecraft arrive at the same orbit and approach each other closely, often prior to docking.
"The supply capsule completed a successful orbital rendezvous with the international space station."
• verb
To meet at an agreed time and place.
"The hiking groups plan to rendezvous at the base camp before dusk."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun, both the singular and plural forms are spelled identically ('rendezvous'), though the final 's' is silent in the singular (/ˈrɒndeɪvuː/) and pronounced as a 'z' in the plural (/ˈrɒndeɪvuːz/).
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from the French noun 'rendez-vous', derived from the imperative phrase 'rendez vous' meaning 'present yourselves', from 'rendre' (to render or betake) and 'vous' (you).