armistice means the armistice agreement signed between the Allies and Germany on 11 November 1918 to end World War I; (by extension) the end of World War I. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 74 out of 100.
armistice is pronounced /ˈɑːmɪstɪs/.
Why “armistice” is a great word
A formal agreement between warring parties to suspend active hostilities, often as a prelude to peace negotiations. Its etymology lies in French armistice (1680s), modeled on Latin solstitium, from Medieval Latin armistitium, equivalent to Latin arma ("arms, weapons") + -stitium (a suffix related to sistere, "to stand, stop"), first recorded in English use 1670–80. Unlike a "truce"—often a local, improvised halt—or a "surrender"—a unilateral capitulation—an armistice is a mutual, formal cessation decreed from high command. It is the sudden, deafening silence over a shattered field at the eleventh hour, the meticulous drawing of a line on a map that does not yet know it is a border, the deliberate laying down of rifles that leaves the hatreds still cocked and loaded—a collective, conscious stillness that is not peace, but its fragile, hopeful antecedent.
name
- The armistice agreement signed between the Allies and Germany on 11 November 1918 to end World War I; (by extension) the end of World War I.“[W]hat was to be the future policy of the Associated Governments in regard to the renewal of the Armistice: should the Armistice constantly be renewed, with new clauses and new conditions, or were the final naval and military terms to be drawn up immediately and imposed on the enemy.”
noun
- 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.”
- 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 in Italy and Germany—the armiſtices and treaties concluded with the German and Italian powers— […]”