mediation

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

mediation
    n 1: a negotiation to resolve differences that is conducted by
         some impartial party
    2: the act of intervening for the purpose of bringing about a
       settlement [syn: {mediation}, {intermediation}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Mediation \Me`di*a"tion\, n. [OE. mediacioun, F. m['e]diation.
   See {Mediate}, a.]
   1. The act of mediating; action or relation of anything
      interposed; action as a necessary condition, means, or
      instrument; interposition; intervention.
      [1913 Webster]

            The soul [acts] by the mediation of these passions.
                                                  --South.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence, specifically, agency between parties at variance,
      with a view to reconcile them; entreaty for another;
      intercession. --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

MEDIATION. The act of some mutual friend of two contending parties, who 
brings them to agree, compromise or settle their disputes. Vattel, Droit des 
Gens, liv. 2, eh. 18, Sec. 328.

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

29 Moby Thesaurus words for "mediation":
      United Nations troops, agency, appeasement, calming, conciliation,
      detente, device, dulcification, easing of relations, expedient,
      going between, instrumentality, intermediation, machinery,
      mechanism, mollification, pacification, peace-keeping force,
      peacemaking, peacemongering, placability, placation, propitiation,
      recourse, relaxation of tension, resort, service, soothing,
      tranquilization