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Webster 1913 Edition
Status quo
{ ‖
Sta′tus inˊ quo′
(stā′tŭs ĭnˊ kwō′)
, ‖Sta′tus quo′
(stā′tŭs kwō′)
.} [L., state in which.]
The state in which anything is already. The phrase is also used retrospectively, as when, on a treaty of peace, matters return to the status quo ante bellum, or are left in statu quo ante bellum, i.e., the state (or, in the state) before the war. The form
status quo
is in most common use.