anschluss

['ɑ:nʃlu:s]

anschluss (n.): 1924, from German Anschluß, "connection; addition; junction," literally "joining, union," from anschließen "to join, annex," from an "at, to, toward" + schließen "to shut, close, lock, bolt; contract" (a marriage); see slot (n.2). Specifically the proposal to unite Germany and Austria, accomplished in 1938.