/ ˌmɒrəˈtɔːriəm; NAmE ˌmɔːr-/ noun
( pl. -riums or -toria / -riə; NAmE /) moratorium (on sth) a temporary stopping of an activity, especially by official agreement :
The convention called for a two-year moratorium on commercial whaling.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: modern Latin , neuter (used as a noun) of late Latin moratorius delaying, from Latin morat- delayed, from the verb morari , from mora delay.