Pause Definition
pôz
paused, pauses, pausing
verb
paused, pauses, pausing
To cause to be temporarily inactive; briefly stop the action of (an electronic device, audio or video stream, etc.)
Webster's New World
To cease or suspend an action temporarily.
She paused in her piano exercises to listen for the baby.
American Heritage
To hesitate.
He paused before replying.
American Heritage
To dwell or linger.
Webster's New World
To make a pause; be temporarily inactive; stop; hesitate.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
pauses
A short period of inaction; temporary stop, break, or rest, as in speaking or reading.
Webster's New World
A delay or suspended reaction, as from uncertainty; a hesitation.
After a pause the audience broke into cheers.
American Heritage
Hesitation; interruption; delay.
Pursuit without pause.
Webster's New World
A stop or break in speaking or reading, which clarifies meaning.
Webster's New World
Reason for hesitation.
The immensity of the task gives one pause.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
suffix
Indicative of a pause or discontinuance.
Wiktionary
idiom
give someone pause
- to make someone hesitant or uncertain
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Pause
Origin of Pause
From Middle English pause from Old French from Latin pausa from Greek pausis from pauein to stop
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Middle French pause, from Latin pausa, from Ancient Greek παῦσις (pausis, “discontinuance”).
From Wiktionary
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From Middle French pause, from Latin pausa, from Ancient Greek παῦσις (pausis)
From Wiktionary
From pause.
From Wiktionary
Pause Is Also Mentioned In
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