pause

Etymology

From Middle French pause, from Latin pausa, from Ancient Greek παῦσις (paûsis), from Ancient Greek παύω (paúō, “stop”), of uncertain origin. Compare the doublet pausa.

verb

1. (intransitive) To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.
2. (intransitive) To interrupt an activity and wait.
   When telling the scary story, he paused for effect.
   She paused and took a defiant breath. ‘If you don't believe me, I can't help it. But I'm not a liar.’ ¶ ‘No,’ said Luke, grinning at her. ‘You're not dull enough![…]What about the kid's clothes? I don't suppose they were anything to write home about, but didn't you keep anything? A bootee or a bit of embroidery or anything at all?’ 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 15, in The China Governess
   Will this affect HS2 and other major projects? … Work at the majority of sites has paused, although some staff may be present to ensure the safety and security of these sites and to make safety assessments. … April 8 2020, “Network News: COVID-19: Questions and Answers”, in Rail, page 11
3. (intransitive) To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
4. (transitive) To halt the play or playback of, temporarily, so that it can be resumed from the same point.
   to pause a song, a video, or a computer game
5. (intransitive, obsolete) To consider; to reflect.

noun

1. A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
2. A short time for relaxing and doing something else.
3. Hesitation; suspense; doubt.
4. In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation mark.
   Teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
5. A break or paragraph in writing.
6. (music) A sign indicating continuance of a note or rest.
7. Alternative spelling of Pause (“a button that pauses or resumes something”)
8. (as direct object) take pause: hesitate; give pause: cause to hesitate