moratorium

Definition

An authorization to a debtor, permitting temporary suspension of payments.

Etymology

New Latin from Late Latin morātōrium, noun use of the neuter of morātōrius (“moratory, delaying”), from Latin moror (“I delay”), from mora (“delay”), from Proto-Indo-European *mere (“to delay, hinder”). See also moratory.

Example Sentences

• "Canada may put a moratorium on cloning for research."
• "It so happened that at that time the moratorium on the death penalty caused by the Supreme Court decision in the Furman case was still in effect."
• "If such a pause cannot be enacted quickly, governments should step in and institute a moratorium."