truce /truːs/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Plural of true 'agreement' (14-17 centuries) , from Old English treow 'keeping of a promise' ]
an agreement between enemies to stop fighting or arguing for a short time, or the period for which this is arranged ⇨ ceasefire :
They agreed to call a truce.
truce with/between
There was an uneasy truce between Alex and Dave over dinner.
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THESAURUS
▪ peace a situation in which there is no war or fighting:
There has been peace in the region for six years now.
▪ truce an agreement to stop fighting or arguing with each other for a limited period of time:
The rebels have ended a 17-month-old truce.
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He called for a truce between Israeli and Palestinian forces.
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There was an uneasy truce between Lily and Stephen at dinner.
▪ ceasefire an agreement to stop fighting for a limited period of time, especially in order to discuss making peace:
The two sides agreed to a ceasefire which would come into force immediately.
▪ armistice a formal agreement to stop fighting a war and to discuss making peace:
The Korean armistice was signed in July 1953.
▪ calm a situation in which there is no violence, argument, or protest:
Attempts by the police to restore calm in the area failed.