pause

 
Pronunciation: /pɔːz/

verb

[no object]
  • interrupt action or speech briefly: she paused, at a loss for words
  • [with object] temporarily interrupt the operation of (a process or device): she had paused a tape on the VCR

noun

  • a temporary stop in action or speech: she dropped me outside during a brief pause in the rain [mass noun]: he chattered away without pause
  • Music a mark over a note or rest that is to be lengthened by an unspecified amount.
  • (also pause button) a control allowing the temporary interruption of recording, playback, or other process.

Phrases

give pause to someone (or give someone pause for thought)

cause someone to think carefully or hesitate before doing something: the sight of these gives any would-be attacker pause for thought

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pausein 'to stop'