moratorium
pronunciation
How to pronounce moratorium in British English:
UK [ˌmɒrəˈtɔ:riəm]
How to pronounce moratorium in American English:
US [ˌmɔrəˈtɔriəm]
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- Noun:
- a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged
- suspension of an ongoing activity
Word Origin
- moratorium
- moratorium: see demur
- moratorium (n.)
- 1875, originally a legal term for "authorization to a debtor to postpone payment," from neuter of Late Latin moratorius "tending to delay," from Latin morari "to delay," from mora "pause, delay," from PIE *mere- "to hinder, delay." The word didn't come out of italics until 1914. General sense of "a postponement, deliberate temporary suspension" is first recorded 1932. Related: Moratorial.
Example
- 1. The moratorium on research , which the boffins imposed on themselves in january , will continue .
- 2. Demonstrators protest in front of a bank building , calling for a moratorium on foreclosures
- 3. Try a moratorium on all criticism .
- 4. But the etc group 's bronson says the international moratorium sends a powerful message .
- 5. New york has a moratorium on the practice , but new rules from the state environment department may allow it .