armistice

[ahr-muh-stis]

noun

1. a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of the warring parties; truce.

   World War I ended with the armistice of 1918.

armistice

/ ˈɑːmɪstɪs /

noun

1. an agreement between opposing armies to suspend hostilities in order to discuss peace terms; truce

Other Word Forms

• postarmistice noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of armistice¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from French, from Medieval Latin armistitium, equivalent to Latin armi- (combining form of arma “weapons, arms, instruments of war”) + -stitium “a stopping” ( stit- being a variant stem of sistere “to stop,” and modeled on Latin solstitium “solstice”) + -ium neuter of -ius adjective and noun suffix; arm ², solstice, stand, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of armistice¹

C18: from New Latin armistitium, from Latin arma arms + sistere to stop, stand still

Example Sentences

Seoul and Pyongyang have remained technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

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Seoul and Pyongyang technically remain at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in armistice, not a peace treaty.

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The two Koreas technically remain at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

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President Dwight Eisenhower ended hostilities in Korea with an armistice six months into office.

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He was captured in April 1953, three months before the armistice, and sentenced to life in prison the same year.

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Related Words

• ceasefire 
• truce