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Moratorium

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a temporary ban or suspension

Where does the word "moratorium" come from? It comes from Latin mora, adopted directly into English (1870s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
mora
Latin · ancient
"delay"
delay; 'morātōrius' meant delaying
2
Stage 2 of 2
moratorium
English · 1870s
"temporary suspension"
first a legal suspension of debt payments granted by governments in crisis
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Moratorium’s story begins in Latin: mora meant “delay.” Delay; 'morātōrius' meant delaying. It reached English by 1870s as moratorium. First a legal suspension of debt payments granted by governments in crisis. Today, moratorium means a temporary ban or suspension.