pause Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
intermission; break; suspension; interruption.
noun temporary inactivity
verb interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
hesitate.
- The speaker paused
verb cease an action temporarily
intermit; break.
- We pause for station identification
- let's break for lunch

F., fr. L. pausa. See Pose.

A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence; doubt.
I stand in pause where I shall first begin. Shak.
In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
A break or paragraph in writing.
He writes with warmth, which usually neglects method, and those partitions and pauses which men educated in schools observe. Locke.
(Mus.) A hold. See 4th Hold, 7. Syn. -- Stop; cessation; suspension.

Cf. F. pauser, L. pausare. See Pause, n., Pose.

imperfect & past participle Paused ; present participle & verbal noun Pausing

To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest. "Tarry, pause a day or two." Shak.
Pausing while, thus to herself she mused. Milton.
To be intermitted; to cease; as, the music pauses.
To hesitate; to hold back; to delay. R.
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture. Shak.
To stop in order to consider; hence, to consider; to reflect. R. "Take time to pause." Shak. Syn. -- To intermit; stop; stay; wait; delay; tarry; hesitate; demur.