moratorium

noun

Etymology: New Latin from Late Latin morātōrium, noun use of the neuter of morātōrius (“moratory, delaying”), from Latin moror (“to delay”), from mora (“delay”), from Proto-Indo-European *mere (“to delay, hinder”). See also moratory.

1. An authorization to a debtor, permitting temporary suspension of payments.
2. A suspension of an ongoing activity.

   “Canada may put a moratorium on cloning for research.”

   “It so happened that at that time the moratorium on the death penalty caused by the Supreme Court decision in the Furman case was still in effect.”

3. A period of delay granted to someone, especially an adolescent or young adult, during which they are not yet required to take on adult obligations or make permanent commitments; an extended phase of identity exploration.