pause

¹pause

noun \ˈpȯz\

Definition of PAUSE

1

: a temporary stop

2

a : a break in a verse b : a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts

3

: temporary inaction especially as caused by uncertainty : hesitation

4

a : the sign denoting a fermata b : a mark (as a period or comma) used in writing or printing to indicate or correspond to a pause of voice

5

: a reason or cause for pausing (as to reconsider) <a thought that should give one pause>

6

: a function of an electronic device that pauses a recording

Examples of PAUSE

1. There was a brief pause in the conversation.
2. After a pause the teacher continued the lesson.
3. He hit pause on the player and explained the significance of the song's lyrics.
4. Please hit the pause button on the remote control.

Origin of PAUSE

Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PAUSE

Synonyms: break, breath, breather, interruption, lull, recess

Related Words: time-out; interim, interlude, intermission, interval, respite, rest; cessation, discontinuance, downtime, ending, expiration, finishing, hitch, lapse, stoppage, stopping, termination; abeyance, moratorium, surcease, suspension; discontinuity, gap, hiatus

Near Antonyms: continuation, endurance, persistence, progress, progression; extension, prolongation

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Rhymes with PAUSE

cause, 'cause, clause, gauze, hawse, tawse, yaws