armistices

Noun

armistice (plural armistices)

1. (countable) A (short) cessation of combat.
   • 135. An armistice is the cessation of active hostilities for a period agreed upon between belligerents. It must be agreed upon in writing, and duly ratified by the highest authorities of the contending parties.
   • 136. If an armistice be declared, without conditions, it extends no further than to require a total cessation of hostilities, along the front of both belligerents.1863 April 24, Francis Lieber, “Instructions for the Government of Armies of the United States in the Field [General Order No. 100]”, in General Orders Affecting the Volunteer Force (Adjutant...

   Synonyms:

   ceasefire, truce

2. (countable) A formal agreement, especially between nations, to end combat.
   • The Fifth Volume of this Collection makes its appearance at the moſt eventful period of the war—it includes, therefore, matter of the higheſt importance, and contains all the official documents reſpecting the late Negotiation—the war between this country and Spain, the progreſs of the French arms...1797, “Preface”, in John Debrett, compiler, A Collection of State Papers, Relative to the War against France now Carrying on by Great Britain and the Several Other European Powers; […], volume V...

See all 3 meanings of armistice