Ultimatum

5 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ultimatum \Ul`ti*ma"tum\ ([u^]l`t[i^]*m[=a]"t[u^]m), n.; pl. E.
     {Ultimatums} ([u^]l`t[i^]*m[=a]"t[u^]mz), L. {Ultimata}. [NL.
     See {Ultimate}.]
     1. A final proposition, concession, or condition; especially,
        the final propositions, conditions, or terms, offered by
        either of the parties in a diplomatic negotiation; the


        most favorable terms that a negotiator can offer, the
        rejection of which usually puts an end to the hesitation.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A final demand, the rejection of which may lead to a
        resort to force or other compelling action by the party
        presenting the ultimatum. In international diplomacy, an
        ultimatum may be used as by the demanding country as a
        signal to other countries that it gave the other country a
        seemingly reasonable opportunity to avoid a war; in this
        way, the demanding country may seek to avoid
        responsibility for starting a war.
        [PJC]
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  ultimatum
       n : a final peremptory demand
       [also: {ultimata} (pl)]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  84 Moby Thesaurus words for "ultimatum":
     admonishment, admonition, alarm, blackmail, boundary condition,
     call, call for, catch, caution, caveat, claim, clause, condition,
     conditions, contribution, demand, demand for, demands,
     deterrent example, donnee, draft, drain, duty, escalator clause,
     escape clause, escape hatch, exaction, example, extortion,
     extortionate demand, final notice, final offer, final warning,
     fine print, firm price, given, grounds, heavy demand, hint,
     imposition, impost, indent, insistent demand, joker, kicker,
     last word, lesson, levy, limiting condition, monition, moral,
     nonnegotiable demand, notice, notification, object lesson,
     obligation, order, parameter, prerequisite, provision, provisions,
     proviso, requirement, requisite, requisition, rush, rush order,
     saving clause, sine qua non, small print, specification,
     stipulation, stipulations, string, tax, taxing, terms, threat,
     tip-off, tribute, verbum sapienti, warning, warning piece,
     whereas
  
  

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  ULTIMATUM. The last proposition made in making a contract, a treaty, and the 
  like; as, the government of the United States has given its ultimatum, has 
  made the last proposition it will make to complete the proposed treaty. The 
  word also means the result of a negotiation, and it comprises the final 
  determination of the parties concerned in the object in dispute. 
  
  

From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:

  ULTIMATUM, n.  In diplomacy, a last demand before resorting to
  concessions.
      Having received an ultimatum from Austria, the Turkish Ministry
  met to consider it.
      "O servant of the Prophet," said the Sheik of the Imperial Chibouk
  to the Mamoosh of the Invincible Army, "how many unconquerable
  soldiers have we in arms?"
      "Upholder of the Faith," that dignitary replied after examining
  his memoranda, "they are in numbers as the leaves of the forest!"
      "And how many impenetrable battleships strike terror to the hearts
  of all Christian swine?" he asked the Imaum of the Ever Victorious
  Navy.
      "Uncle of the Full Moon," was the reply, "deign to know that they
  are as the waves of the ocean, the sands of the desert and the stars
  of Heaven!"
      For eight hours the broad brow of the Sheik of the Imperial
  Chibouk was corrugated with evidences of deep thought:  he was
  calculating the chances of war.  Then, "Sons of angels," he said, "the
  die is cast!  I shall suggest to the Ulema of the Imperial Ear that he
  advise inaction.  In the name of Allah, the council is adjourned."