Plural of embargo; government bans on trade with another country, or the third-person singular present tense of the verb to embargo.
From Spanish 'embargo' (seizure), derived from 'embargar' (to seize or impede). The term entered English in the 17th century when European nations used trade restrictions as political tools. The suffix '-oes' is a common plural form borrowed from Spanish.
Embargoes have shaped world history in fascinating ways—the U.S. embargo on Cuba lasted over 60 years and became one of the longest trade restrictions in modern history, showing how a single economic weapon can influence politics for generations.
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