Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
An information barrier within an organization, designed to ensure internal confidentiality; frequently used to prevent conflicts of interest.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, jargon
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: ethical screen, ethical wall
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Alternative letter-case form of Chinese Wall.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a fortification 1,500 miles long built across northern China in the 3rd century BC; it averages 6 meters in width
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: Great Wall, Great Wall of China
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rampart, bulwark, wall
History
The expression Chinese Wall comes from the Great Wall of China and became a metaphor of barriers, known to go back to the United States stock market crash of 1929. The U.S. government saw the need to maintain separation (or an information barrier) between investment bankers and brokerage firms, to limit the conflict of interest between the two. The first use of Chinese Wall in the general context of keeping confidentiality is unclear.
Across languages
1 source translations are retained for this English entry.
