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Definition of volte-face noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

volte-face

noun
 
/ˌvɒlt ˈfɑːs/
 
/ˌvɔːlt ˈfɑːs/
 [singular] (from French, formal)
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  1. a complete change of opinion or plan synonym about-turn
    • This represents a volte-face in government thinking.
    • We were thrown into confusion by his volte-face.
    Topics Opinion and argumentc2
    Word Originearly 19th cent.: from French, from Italian voltafaccia, based on Latin volvere ‘to roll’ + facies ‘appearance, face’.
See volte-face in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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