laissez faire

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Noun 1.5 Quotations 1.5.1 Usage notes 1.6 Adjective 1.7 See also 2 French 2.1 Pronunciation 2.2 Noun 2.3 Verb

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Alternative spellings

• laissez-faire

[edit] Etymology

French laissez faire (“‘leave it be [lit. let do]’”)

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈlæs.eɪ ˌfeə(ɹ)/, /ˈleɪ.seɪ ˌfeə(ɹ)/, SAMPA: /"l{s.eI %fe@(r)/, /"leI.seI %fe@(r)/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

laissez faire

1. (economics) A policy of governmental non-interference in economic affairs.
2. A policy of non-interference by authority in any competitive process.

[edit] Quotations

• For examples of the usage of this term see the citations page.

[edit] Usage notes

• Usually spelled "laissez-faire" in its common attributive use.

[edit] Adjective

laissez faire (comparative more laissez faire, superlative most laissez faire)

1. (economics, politics) Practicing or representing governmental noninterference, or minimal interference, especially in economic affairs; pertaining to free-market capitalism.

   I think the city should take a laissez faire approach to this; getting involved would only make things worse.

2. (economics, politics) Advocating such noninterference.

   The Senator claims to be laissez faire, but he voted in favor of the subsidies.

3. (economics) Resulting from such noninterference.

   The price ceiling was well below the laissez faire price that demand would have supported, so there were always shortages.

4. (of a person) Avoiding interference in other people's affairs; choosing to live and let live.

[edit] See also

• laissez aller
• laissez passer
• let it be

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[edit] French

[edit] Pronunciation

 Audio (France)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

laissez faire m (usually uncountable)

1. (rare, dated) Alternative form of laisser-faire.

[edit] Verb

laissez faire

1. Second-person plural indicative present form of laisser faire.
2. Second-person plural imperative present form of laisser faire.