moratorium
mor-uh-TOR-ee-um
/ˌmɒrəˈtɔːriəm/
A temporary prohibition of an activity.
Often used in a legal or political context to halt executions or debt payments while a policy is being reviewed.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'morari,' meaning 'to delay,' from 'mora' (delay). It entered English in the 19th century, originally referring to a legal delay in the payment of debts.
Word relationships
- suspension: Suspension is a general term; moratorium is more formal and often implies a period of study.
- continuation: The act of carrying on with an activity.
Commonly confused with
- abolition: Abolition is permanent; a moratorium is a temporary pause.
Collocations
- declare a moratorium
- place a moratorium
- moratorium on debt
Example sentences
- "The state declared a moratorium on all executions while the safety of the lethal injection drugs was being investigated." Policy change
- "The bank announced a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures during the economic crisis." Economics
Memory hook
Moratorium = More-Time. You are giving the system more time to think before acting. A temporary pause.
When not to use
Do not use for a permanent ban; it implies that the activity might resume later.
Fun facts
- The 'Oregon Moratorium on Executions' has been in place since 2011, effectively stopping the death penalty without abolishing it.
- The word 'demure' (reserved/modest) also comes from the same root 'mora.'
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