raison d'état

== English == === Alternative forms === raison d'etat === Etymology === From French raison d'État (literally “reason of state”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɹeɪˌzɒ̃ deɪˈtɑː/, /ɹeɪˌzɒn deɪˈtɑː/ (General American) IPA(key): /ɹeɪˌzɑn deɪˈtɑː/ === Noun === raison d'état A state interest, especially when invoked as politically superior to moral or even legal considerations. ==== Translations ====