/ ˈrekənsaɪl; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
reconcile sth (with sth) to find an acceptable way of dealing with two or more ideas, needs, etc. that seem to be opposed to each other :
an attempt to reconcile the need for industrial development with concern for the environment
It was hard to reconcile his career ambitions with the needs of his children.
2.
[ usually passive ] reconcile sb (with sb) to make people become friends again after an argument or a disagreement :
The pair were reconciled after Jackson made a public apology.
He has recently been reconciled with his wife.
3.
reconcile sb / yourself (to sth) to make sb/yourself accept an unpleasant situation because it is not possible to change it
SYN resign yourself to :
He could not reconcile himself to the prospect of losing her.
► rec·on·cil·able / ˌrekənˈsaɪləbl; NAmE / adjective
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French reconcilier or Latin reconciliare , from Latin re- back (also expressing intensive force) + conciliare bring together.