halt

¹

[ hawlt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to stop; cease moving, operating, etc., either permanently or temporarily:

   They halted for lunch and strolled about.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to stop temporarily or permanently; bring to a stop:

   They halted operations during contract negotiations.

noun

1. a temporary or permanent stop.

   Synonyms: stoppage, stop, standstill, suspension, cessation

interjection

1. (used as a command to stop and stand motionless, as to marching troops or to a fleeing suspect.)

halt

²

[ hawlt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to falter, as in speech, reasoning, etc.; be hesitant; stumble.
2. to be in doubt; waver between alternatives; vacillate.
3. Archaic. to be lame; walk lamely; limp.

adjective

1. Archaic. lame; limping.

noun

1. Archaic. lameness; a limp.
2. (used with a plural verb) lame people, especially severely lamed ones (usually preceded by the ):

   the halt and the blind.

halt

¹

/ hɔːlt /

noun

1. an interruption or end to activity, movement, or progress
2. a minor railway station, without permanent buildings
3. call a halt
   to put an end (to something); stop

noun

1. a command to halt, esp as an order when marching

verb

1. to come or bring to a halt

halt

²

/ hɔːlt /

verb

1. (esp of logic or verse) to falter or be defective
2. to waver or be unsure
3. archaic.
   to be lame

adjective

1. archaic.
   1. lame
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the halt

noun

1. archaic.
   lameness

Other Words From

• haltless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of halt¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from the phrase make halt for German halt machen; hold ¹

Origin of halt²

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English healt; cognate with Old High German halz, Old Norse haltr, Gothic halts, akin to Latin clādēs “damage, loss”

Word History and Origins

Origin of halt¹

C17: from the phrase to make halt, translation of German halt machen, from halten to hold ¹, stop

Origin of halt²

Old English healt lame; related to Old Norse haltr, Old High German halz lame, Greek kólos maimed, Old Slavonic kladivo hammer

Idioms and Phrases

see call a halt ; come to a halt ; grind to a halt .

Synonym Study

See stop.

Example Sentences

The clumsy, shy 10-year-old is one of the most endearing characters in Springfield, thanks in part to his halting, sheepish voice and his stubborn resilience.

From New York Times

The dog bit and gnawed on Bates’ scalp, the lawsuit alleges, and ignored Bates’ and Rezentes’ attempts to halt the attack.

From Los Angeles Times

The government has also announced that it will start means-testing winter fuel payments, halting them for 10 million pensioners in England and Wales.

From BBC

The effort comes after Newsom increased the number of service members earlier this year from 155 to 392 to halt the entry of fentanyl across state ports.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s team is also likely to appeal any decision to delay sentencing, which would also halt the case in its tracks.

From Salon

Related Words

• cutoff
• freeze
• interruption
• layoff
• letup
• pause
• postponement
• standstill
• termination