1. Meaning of the Word:
“Halt” means to bring something to a stop or to cease movement or activity, either temporarily or permanently.
2. Definitions and Meaning in English:
- Halt (verb): To stop or bring to a stop, particularly referring to movement, progress, or activity.
- Halt (noun): The act of stopping or ceasing movement or activity.
- Halt (noun): A temporary or permanent stoppage or pause.
3. History and Origin:
The word “halt” originates from the Old English healt, meaning “lame” or “crippled,” which later evolved in its usage to mean “stop” or “stoppage,” reflecting the idea of slowing down or ceasing motion. The word gained its current meaning by the late 14th century.
4. Detailed Explanation:
“Halt” typically refers to an abrupt stop or cessation of activity or movement. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. For example, when a vehicle halts, it stops moving; similarly, when progress on a project halts, it ceases or pauses. “Halt” can also refer to a temporary or permanent stoppage, depending on the context. In military or formal usage, a “halt” is often a command to stop or cease movement immediately.
5. Example Sentences (9 examples):
- The soldiers were ordered to halt and wait for further instructions.
- The car came to a sudden halt when the light turned red.
- The project was brought to a halt due to a lack of funding.
- The train will halt at the next station to pick up passengers.
- Due to the snowstorm, all flights were halted at the airport.
- The company decided to halt production after receiving complaints about safety.
- The music came to a halt when the power went out.
- The doctor advised him to halt all physical activities until further notice.
- The race came to a halt when one of the runners fell.
6. Synonyms with short explanation (5):
- Stop – To bring something to an end or cease movement, similar to a halt.
- Cease – To bring something to a complete stop, especially referring to an ongoing activity or process.
- Pause – A brief stop or break in an activity or process, often temporary, akin to a halt.
- End – To bring something to its conclusion, similar to halting a process or activity.
- Freeze – To stop or become motionless, used especially in the context of immediate or forceful halting.
7. Related Words with short explanation (5):
- Interruption – A break or pause in something, which may lead to a halt in the activity.
- Stoppage – A cessation or stoppage of movement or activity, similar to halt.
- Break – A temporary cessation or pause, like halting for a rest.
- Respite – A short period of rest or relief from activity, similar to a pause or halt.
- Standstill – A complete stop in motion or activity, often resulting from a halt.
8. More Matches with short explanation (5):
- Delay – A postponement or slowing of an event, often leading to a halt in progress.
- Suspension – A temporary stop or break, similar to halting an activity temporarily.
- Discontinue – To stop or cease something entirely, similar to halting.
- Impediment – A barrier or obstacle that causes a halt or prevents further movement.
- Quarantine – A period of isolation or stoppage, often to halt the spread of illness.
9. Antonyms:
- Proceed – To continue moving or progressing, the opposite of halting.
- Advance – To move forward or make progress, contrary to halting.
- Continue – To keep going without stopping, opposite of halting.
- Start – To begin or initiate, as opposed to halting an action or movement.
- Flow – To move smoothly and continuously, the opposite of coming to a halt.