ˌmȯrəˈtōrēəm, ˌmär-, -tȯr- noun
( plural moratoriums -mz ; or moratoria -ēə)
Etymology: New Latin, from Late Latin, neuter of moratorius dilatory, retarding
1.
a. : a legally authorized period of delay in the performance of a legal obligation or the payment of a debt
asked the legislature for a moratorium of one year on farm mortgage payments
b. : waiting period set by some authority : a delay officially required or granted
usually there was at least one day's moratorium on news coming out of such background briefings — Douglass Cater
— compare indulgence 3c
2. : a suspension of activity : a temporary ban on the use or production of something
so thorough was the moratorium on brains that nobody in power dared do any primary thinking — J.R.Chamberlain
a moratorium on new systems — C.W.Thornthwaite