noun
truce
TROOSS/truːs/
An agreed temporary stop in fighting or conflict.
The soldiers lower their weapons and agree to a truce.
Etymology
The underlying idea is a pledge or agreement: a plural form of the word acquired the special meaning of an agreed pause in hostilities. This later extended beyond warfare to interruptions of other conflicts.
In context
neither side was fully satisfied with the peace that had been gained, and both looked on it as more of a temporary truce rather than a complete cessation of hostilities
More examples
- The truce lasted only a few days.
- They called a temporary truce in their argument.
- Both commanders promised to respect the truce.
Forms
truce · truces
Similar words
- ceasefire
- An agreement or order to stop armed fighting.
- armistice
- Usually a more formal military agreement stopping hostilities.