pause1 verbpause2 noun
pausepause1 /pɔːz $ pɒːz/ ●●● W2 verb 
VERB TABLE
pause
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | pause |
| he, she, it | pauses | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | paused |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have paused |
| he, she, it | has paused | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had paused |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will pause |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have paused |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am pausing |
| he, she, it | is pausing | |
| you, we, they | are pausing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was pausing |
| you, we, they | were pausing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been pausing |
| he, she, it | has been pausing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been pausing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be pausing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been pausing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Pausing briefly at the door, Linus straightened his tie.
- Jill paused for a moment to look at her notes.
- Kim was reading her e-mail, but she paused and looked up when I came in.
- Lawrence paused and turned to me: "Look, if you don't think it's a good idea, don't go."
- She talked for about twenty minutes without even pausing for breath.
- We waited while Graham paused to light a cigarette.
- Arriving back at the cottage for the last time Ludens paused to look and listen.
- Children can run through without pausing.
- Her heart leaped into her mouth, and she paused.
- It was unusual for Hal to pause so long.
- Subjects might pause out of habit at points where it would be appropriate for them to pause when reading aloud.
- The two girls paused, grimy and breathless, in the middle of the sick display.
- There are ways of pausing records that really are interesting.
THESAURUS
to stop speaking or stop doing something for a very short time before starting again. Pause is used especially in written descriptions. In everyday spoken English, people usually just say stop: · She paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at the clock.· He paused, waiting for Larry to say something.
to stop for a moment and wait before doing something, because you feel unsure or nervous about it: · She hesitated for a moment before replying.
to stop working for a short time in order to rest, eat etc: · We’re all getting tired. Let’s take a break for ten minutes.
formal if a meeting or court adjourns or is adjourned, it stops for a short time: · If there are no more questions, the committee will adjourn until tomorrow morning.· The trial was adjourned because one of the defendants was ill.
especially American English informal to stop for a short time in order to rest: · Let’s take five and get some coffee.
to suddenly stop speaking, especially because you see, hear, or think of something: · He broke off his conversation when he saw Mary running towards him.· She broke off and looked embarrassed, then said, ‘I’ll explain later.’
Longman Language Activatorto stop doing something for a short time before continuing written to stop speaking or stop doing something for a very short time before starting again: · Kim was reading her e-mail, but she paused and looked up when I came in.· Lawrence paused and turned to me: "Look, if you don't think it's a good idea, don't go."pause for breath (=use this when you need to rest for a moment, especially when you are talking): · She talked for about twenty minutes without even pausing for breath.pause to do something: · We waited while Graham paused to light a cigarette.
to stop doing something for a short time, before continuing again: · Can we stop at the next services and get something to eat?stop for coffee/lunch/a break etc (=stop what you are doing, so you can have coffee, lunch etc): · We'll stop for lunch at 12:30.stop to look/listen/watch/talk/rest etc (=stop in order to look at something etc): · We stopped to listen to a group of boys who were playing guitars in the street.· I stopped to rest for a few minutes.stop doing something (for a moment/while etc): · Could you stop making that noise for a moment?· The baby hadn't stopped crying for two whole hours.
to stop for a moment and wait before doing something, because you feel unsure or nervous about it: · She hesitated for a moment before replying.· Barry stood at the door, hesitating. Should he walk straight in or knock?
to stop doing something in order to rest, eat etc especially spoken to stop working for a while in order to rest, eat etc: · We're all getting tired. Let's take a break for ten minutes.· Is it all right if we have a break at about 10.30?have a quick/short/five minute etc break: · If you're working at a computer, it's best if you have a quick break at least once an hour.
American informal to stop for a while in order to rest: · Let's take five and get some coffee.
informal to stop for a while because you want a rest, especially because you have been doing something very difficult or tiring: · It's 12 o' clock. Why don't we take a breather?· I'd only been running for five minutes, but I had to stop and take a breather.
to stop working and have lunch, a coffee break, a holiday etc: · At 12.30, the committee broke for lunch.· There's still an enormous amount of work to do before we break for Christmas.
to stop for a while and rest, either because you are tired or in order to do something else: · Try to take time out and get together with the kids.take time out to do something: · Taking time out to relax each day is important during pregnancy.take time out from/of: · The President took time out from his busy schedule to speak to the crowds.
also recess American formal if a meeting or court adjourns , or if someone in authority adjourns it, the meeting or court stops for a short time, for example so that more information can be collected: · If there are no more questions, the committee will adjourn until tomorrow morning.· "The court will recess for twenty minutes," Judge Bart said.· The trial was adjourned for two weeks until the psychiatrist's report was ready.
a period of time when you stop doing something a long or short period when you stop your work or normal activities, before continuing them again later: · She returned to her job after a six-month break.break from: · After finishing school, Craig felt he needed a break from studying.lunch/coffee/tea break (=when you stop work to have lunch, coffee etc): · You get a one hour lunch break, and fifteen minutes for a coffee break in the afternoon.
written a short period during which you stop speaking or stop doing something before starting again: · After a long pause, Barney said: "Yes, I suppose you're right."pause in: · There was a pause in the conversation as everyone turned to say hello to Paul.a pregnant pause (=a pause when someone is expected to say something, especially something awkward or embarrassing): · "Where's Matt?" There was a long and pregnant pause.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better: · The noise went on all night, without a single moment's respite.respite from: · The citizens had only a few days' respite from the conflict, before the shelling began again.be no/little respite: · Weathermen yesterday warned that there would be no respite from the gales.a brief/short-lived/temporary respite: · The drug can only provide a brief respite from the pain.a welcome respite: · Some mothers regard work as a welcome respite from the stress of looking after a home and children.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better. Letup is more informal than respite: · There was a short letup in the downpour after lunch.without (a) letup: · The fighting raged without a letup through the night,letup in: · Kline warned against any letup in the pilot's concentration.
a temporary break in busy activity, noise, talking, fighting etc: · There was a lull, and then the thunder came again.lull in: · Managers at Metrocentre have reported a lull in the recession, as takings continue to soar.· For two days there had been a lull in the fighting.· I waited for a lull in the conversation, before getting up to go.
a short time when you stop doing something difficult, tiring etc, so that people have time to think more clearly about the situation: · At last a temporary agreement was reached, which gave both sides a breathing space.breathing space to do something: · After the divorce, I badly needed some breathing space to try and rebuild my life.
a short period of time when schoolwork, a meeting, a game etc stops a short time between school classes when children can play, eat something etc: · The children have a fifteen-minute break at 11 o'clock.· Could you come and see me during afternoon break?
also interval British a planned pause during a play, concert, or film: · There will now be a short intermission.· Drinks will be on sale during the interval.
a planned pause during a play or concert, when music is often played: a musical/comic etc interlude: · Halfway through the performance there was a short musical interlude.· The dance provided a delightful comic interlude.
especially British /recess especially American a pause when a court, formal meeting, talks etc stop for a short time, so that more information can be collected or so that people can discuss something: · Mr Robertson applied for an adjournment, to see if witnesses could be traced.· The heated debate continued after a ninety-minute adjournment.· Peace talks resumed on June 15th, after a month-long recess.call a recess: · At four o'clock, the judge called a recess, and the jury was led out of the courtroom.be in recess: · The court will be in recess for twenty minutes.
when Parliament or Congress stops meeting for a period of time, in order to have a holiday : the summer/Easter/Christmas recess: · The Bill was brought before the House of Commons and passed before the summer recess.· Congress's two-week Easter recessbe in recess: · The House is in recess until January 22nd, when it will vote on the Bill.
WORD SETSaccess, verbaccess point, nounaccess time, nounaccounting system, accumulator, nounadd-on, nounADSL, nounaffective computing, nounAI, nounALGOL, nounalias, nounANSI, anti-spam, adjectiveanti-virus, adjectiveanti-virus software, nounAPL, nounapp, nounApple, Apple Macintosh, applet, nounapplication, nounapplication software, nounarcade game, nounarchitecture, nounarchive, nounarchive, verbarray, nounartificial intelligence, nounASCII, nounASIC, nounASP, nounassembly language, nounasynchronous, adjectiveAT&T, attachment, nounaudit trail, nounautomate, verbautomated, adjectiveautomation, nounavatar, nounB2B exchange, nounB2C, adjectiveB2E, adjectiveBabbage, Charles, backslash, nounbackspace, nounbackup, nounback-up copy, bandwidth, nounbar code, nounBASIC, nounbatch, nounbatch processing, nounbaud rate, nounBerners-Lee, Tim, bespoke, adjectivebeta test, nounBig Blue, bioinformatics, nounbiometric, adjectivebit, nounbitmap, nounBlackBerry, nounbloatware, nounblog, nounBluetooth, nounBMP, nounbond certificate, book entry, bookmark, nounbookmark, verbbook of final entry, nounbook of first entry, nounBoolean, adjectiveboot, verbbootable, adjectivebootstrapping, nounbot, nounbotnet, nounbps, brain dump, nounbroadband, nounbrown goods, nounbrowse, verbbrowser, nounbubble jet printer, nounbuddy list, nounbuffer, nounbuffer, verbbug, nounbulletin board, nounbundle, nounbundle, verbburn, verbbus, nounbusiness continuity services, nounbusiness continuity services, button, nounbyte, nounCabinet Office Briefing Rooms, cable modem, nouncache, nouncache, verbCAD, nounCAD/CAM, nounCAL, nounCalifornia, nounCALL, nounCAM, nounCambridge, Capita, caps lock, nouncapture, verbcapture, nouncard, nouncathode ray tube, nounCAT scan, nounCBT, nounCD-R, nounCD-ROM, nounCD-ROM drive, CDRW, nounCD-RW, nouncentral processing unit, nouncentral processor, nounCGI, nounCHAPS, character, nounchat room, nouncheat, nouncheckbox, nounchip, nounchip card, CIM, CIO, clerical assistant, click, verbclickable, adjectiveclient, nounclient machine, client-server, adjectiveclient/server architecture, clip art, nounclipboard, nouncloaking, nounclock cycle, nounclock speed, nounclone, nouncluster, nounCOBOL, nouncode, nouncoder, nouncom, Comdex, nouncommand, nouncomm port, comms, nouncompact disc, nounCompaq, compatibility, nouncompatible, adjectivecompatible, nouncompile, verbcompiler, nouncompress, verbcomputer, nouncomputer (industry) analyst, computer-aided, adjectivecomputer-aided design, nouncomputer-aided manufacture, computer-aided manufacturing, nouncomputer-assisted, adjectivecomputerate, adjectivecomputer-based training, computer-generated, adjectivecomputer-integrated manufacture, computerize, verbcomputer-literate, adjectivecomputer modelling, nouncomputer science, nouncomputer system, computer virus, nouncomputing, nounconcordance, nounconfiguration, nounconfigure, verbconnect, verbconnectivity, nounconsole, nouncontrol, nouncontrol key, nouncookie, nouncoordinate, nounCorel, corrupt, verbcounter, nouncourseware, nounCPU, nouncrack, verbcrack, nouncracker, nouncrash, verbcrash, nounCroft, Lara, cross-platform, adjectivecross-posting, nounCtrl, nouncursor, nouncut, verbcutover, nouncyber-, prefixcybercrime, nouncybernetics, nouncyberpunk, nouncybersickness, nouncyberspace, nouncyberterrorist, nouncyberwidow, noundata, noundata bank, noundatabase, noundatabase management, database management system, data capture, noundata centre, data dictionary, noundata encryption standard, noundata file, data interchange format file, data mining, noundata processing, noundata protection, Data Protection Act, the, Dateline, daytrader, nounday trading, nounDBMS, debug, verbdecision support system, decode, verbdecompress, verbdecrypt, verbdefault, noundefragment, verbDel, noundelete, verbdeletion, noundeliverable, noundematerialize, verbdemo, verbdemonstration version, denial of service attack, noundeselect, verbdesktop, noundesktop computer, noundesktop publishing, noundestination site, dialogue box, noundial-up, adjectivedigerati, noundigicam, noundigital nervous system, digital rights management, digital wallet, nounDilbert, direct access, noundirectory, noundisaster recovery, noundisc, noundisinfect, verbdisk, noundisk drive, noundiskette, noundisk operating system, display, noundisplay, verbdistributed processing, Dixons, dock, noundock, verbdocking station, noundocument, noundocument sharing, noundongle, nounDOS, noundot-matrix printer, noundouble click, verbdouble-click, verbdouble density, adjectivedown, adverbdownload, verbdownload, noundownloadable, adjectivedowntime, noundown time, downwardly compatible, adjectiveDP, noundrag, verbdrive, noun-driven, suffixdriver, noundropdown, noundrop down, noundrop-down menu, nounDTP, noundumb terminal, dump, verbdump, nounDVD, nounDVD-ROM, nounEasdaq, noune-book, noune-business, nounECN, noune-commerce, nouneditor, nounedutainment, noune-fatigue, nounE-FIT, nounEFTPOS, nounelectronic, adjectiveelectronic bill of lading, electronic cottage, nounelectronic data interchange, nounelectronic funds transfer, nounelectronic invoice, electronic mail, nounelectronic media, electronic publishing, nounelectronics, nounelectrosmog, nounEllison, Larry, email, nounemail account, embed, verbencrypt, verbend-to-end, adjectiveenter, verbenterprise application integration, nounentry, nounEPROM, noune-publishing, nounequipment leasing, erase, verbErnie, error, nounerror message, nounescape key, Ethernet, noune-ticket, nounE-ticket, nounexecutable, nounexecute, verbexecution, nounexit, verbexpansion card, nounexpansion slot, nounexpert system, nounexport, verbextension, nounextranet, nouneye scan, nounF2F, adjectivefabricator, nounfactory preset, nounfatware, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfield, nounfifth generation computer, file, nounfile manager, nounfilename, nounfile sharing, nounfile transfer, filing system, filter, nounfirewall, nounfirmware, nounfirst generation, nounfirst in, first out, nounfirst-person shooter, nounfive nines, nounfixed wireless, nounflash, verbflash, nounflash drive, nounflash memory, nounflatscreen, adjectiveflat screen, flip chip, nounfloor broker, floppy disk, nounfly-by-wire, nounfolder, nounfont, nounfooter, nounfootprint, nounforklift upgrade, nounformat, verbFortran, nounforum, noun404, adjectivefreeware, nounftp, nounfunction, nounfunctionality, nounfunction key, nounfungible, adjectivefuzzy logic, nounGame Boy, gameplay, noungamer, noungaming, noungarbage in, garbage out, Gates, Bill, gateway, nounghost, nounGIF, noungigabit, noungigabyte, nounGIGO, GIS, nounGlitter, Gary, global, adjectiveGLOBEX, nounGMS, nounGoogle, gopher, noungraphical, adjectivegraphical user interface, noungraphics, noungraphics card, noungraphic software, grid computing, noungroupware, nounGUI, nounhack, verbhack, nounhacker, nounhacktivist, nounhandshake, nounhard copy, nounhard disk, nounhard drive, nounhardware, nounhard-wired, adjectiveHawk, Tony, Hawking, Stephen, head, nounheader, nounhelp, nounhelp desk, nounhelp menu, help screen, nounHewlett Packard, hexadecimal, adjectivehigh-definition, adjectivehigh-level, adjectivehigh-level language, highlight, verbhome computer, home office, nounhome shopping, hookup, nounhook-up, nounhost computer, hot key, nounhot link, nounhot spot, nounHTML, nounhttp, hyperlink, nounhypertext, nounIBM, icon, nounICT, nounidentifier, nouniMac, nounimport, verbinbox, nounincremental backup, nounincubator space, industrial design, infect, verbinfected, adjectiveinformation exchange, information retrieval, nouninformation system, information technology, nouninfowar, nouninitialize, verbinkjet printer, nouninput, nouninput, verbinput/output, adjectiveinstall, verbinstaller, nounInstinet, Intel, intelligent terminal, interactive, adjectiveinteractive whiteboard, nouninterface, nouninterface, verbInternational Securities Exchange, nounInternet cafe, nounInternet Service Provider, interpreter, nounintranet, nouninvoke, verbIP address, nouniPod, nouniris scan, nounISDN, nounISP, nounIT, nouniterate, verbiTunes, iTV, nounJava, nounjob, nounjob bank, Jobs, Steve, joystick, nounJPEG, nounK, KB, keno, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkeyboard, verbkeyboarder, nounkeypad, nounkeystroke, nounkeyword, nounkilobyte, nounkit, nounkludge, nounknowledge base, Kraftwerk, LAN, nounlanguage, nounlaptop, nounlaser disk, nounlaser printer, nounlaunch, verbLCD, nounlight industry, nounlight pen, nounline printer, nounlink, verbLinux, nounLISP, nounlisting paper, listserv, nounload, verblocal area network, nounlog file, LOGO, nounloop, nounlow-level, adjectiveMac, nounmachine, nounmachine code, nounmachine language, machine-readable, adjectiveMacintosh, nounmacro, nounmagnetic disk, nounmagnetic media, nounmagnetic tape, nounmail, nounmail, verbmailbomb, nounmailbox, nounmailing list, nounmail merge, nounmainframe, nounmainframe computer, main memory, manual, adjectivemaximize, verbmegabyte, nounmemory, nounmemory address, memory bank, nounmemory card, nounmemory hog, nounMemory Stick, nounmenu, nounmessage, nounmetadata, nounmicro, nounmicrochip, nounmicrocomputer, nounmicroelectronics, nounmicroprocessor, nounMicrosoft, MIDI, nounmigrate, verbmigration, nounMillennium bug, minicomputer, nounminimize, verbmips, mission-critical, adjectiveMIT, mixer, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmodem, nounmodule, nounmonitor, nounMoore, Gordon, Moore's Law, nounmorphing, nounmotherboard, nounMotorola, mouse, nounmouse mat, nounmouse miles, nounmouse potato, nounMP3 player, nounMP4 player, nounMPEG, nounMSC, nounMS-DOS, multimedia, adjectivemulti-player gaming, nounmultiple applications, multiplexer, nounmultitasking, nounnagware, nounNasdaq, nounNASDAQ, Naseem, Prince, National Market System, nounNEC, nerd, nounnest, verbNetscape Navigator, network, nounnetwork, verbneural computer, nounneural network, nounneuroinformatics, nounnewbie, nounnew economy, nounNintendo, node, nounnoise, nounnotebook, nounnumber-cruncher, nounnumber crunching, nounobject, nounobject language, object-oriented, adjectiveOCR, nounOfex, nounoffice machinery, offline, adverboff-line, adjectiveonline, adjectiveonline catalogue, online updating, nounon-screen, adjectiveopen, verbOpen Group, the, open outcry, nounopen system, nounoperating system, nounoperation, nounoptical character recognition, nounoptical fibre, nounoption, nounorder, nounorganizing business, OSI, nounoutbox, nounoutput, nounoutput, verbover-the-counter dealing, over-the-counter market, over-the-counter share, over-the-counter stock, over-the-counter trading, overwrite, verbP2P, adjectivepackage, nounpacket, nounpacket-switching, nounpage, nounpage break, nounpalette, nounpalm phone, nounpalmtop, nounpaperless, adjectiveparallel data query, parallel port, parallel processing, nounPASCAL, nounpass-along, adjectivepassword, nounpaste, verbpasting, nounpatch, nounpause, verbPC, nounPC Card, nounPDA, nounPDF, nounPDF file, pen drive, nounPentium, peripheral, adjectiveperipheral, nounpersonal communicator, nounpersonal computer, nounpersonal electronic device, nounpersonal organizer, nounpetaflop, nounphishing, nounping, verbpiracy, nounpirate, verbpixel, nounplasma screen, nounplatform, nounplatform game, nounPlayStation, plotter, nounplug and play, nounplug-and-play, adjectiveplug-in, nounpointer, nounpop-under, nounpop-up, nounport, nounport, verbportable, adjectivepost, verbpost-industrial, adjectivePostScript, nounPowerPoint, nounprint, verbprinter, nounprintout, nounprint-out, nounprint preview, nounprocess, verbprocessing, nounprocessor, nounprogram, nounprogram, verbprogram file, programmable, adjectiveprogrammer, nounprogramme trading, programming, nounprogramming language, PROLOG, nounPROM, nounprompt, verbprompt, nounprotocol, nounPsion, pull down, nounpull-down, adjectivepull-down menu, nounpunched card, nounquantum computer, nounQuarkXPress, queue, nounqwerty, adjectiveRAM, nounrandom access memory, nounread, verbread only memory, read-only memory, nounread-out, nounread-write, adjectivereal-time, adjectivereboot, verbrecall, verbre-chip, verbrecord, nounrecord, verbrefresh, verbreload, verbremaster, verbremote access, nounremote control, nounremote working, nounreseller, nounreset, verbrespawn, verbretinal scanner, nounretrieval, nounretrieve, verbretry, verbreturn, nounright-click, verbrip, verbroad warrior, nounrobot, nounrollover, nounROM, nounRoute 128, nounrouter, nounroutine, nounRSI, nounRTF, nounrun, verbsalami slicing, nounSamsung, save, verbscalability, nounscalable, adjectivescan, verbscanner, nounscramble, verbscreen, nounscreen-based, adjectivescreen dump, nounscreensaver, nounscreen saver, nounscreenshot, nounscroll, verbscroll bar, nounscroll key, SCSI, nounSEAQ, search, nounsearch, verbsearchable, adjectivesearch engine, nounSEATS, nounsecurity rating, SEGA, self-healing, adjectivesend, verbserial port, server, nounserver farm, nounservice bureau, nounservice pack, nounSET, nounset-up, nounSFA, nounSGML, nounshareware, nounshift, nounshift key, nounshoot-'em-up, nounshopping bot, sig file, nounsilicon, nounsilicon chip, nounSilicon Fen, nounSilicon Glen, Silicon Valley, sim, nounSIMM, nounsimulation, nounSinclair, Sir Clive, single sourcing, skin, nounslo-mo, adjectivesmall office/home office, nounsmart, adjectivesmart bomb, nounsneakernet, nounsoft copy, nounsoftware, nounsoftware engineering, SoHo, SOHO, nounSonic the Hedgehog, sort, nounsoundcard, nounsource code, nounspace bar, nounspam, nounspeech recognition, nounspeech recognition software, speech synthesizer, nounspellcheck, nounspellchecker, nounspell-checker, nounspider, nounspider food, nounspim, nounsplit screen, nounspreadsheet, nounspreadsheet software, spyware, nounstandalone, adjectivestand-alone, adjectivestandby time, nounStarr Report, the, nounstarter pack, nounstart-up, nounstorage, nounstorage unit, store, verbstore-and-forward, nounstrategic information system, stream, verbstreaming, nounStreet Fighter, string, nounstylus, nounsubdirectory, nounsubroutine, nounsuite, nounSun Microsystems, sunrise industry, nounsupercomputer, nounsuperserver, nounsupport, verbsupport, nounswitching, nounsynchronous, adjectivesyntax, nounsynthespian, nounsystem, nounsystem administrator, nounsystems analyst, nounsystems programmer, system tray, nountab, verbtab key, nountab stop, nountag, nountag, verbtape, nountape drive, taskbar, nountechie, nountechnical support, nountechno-, prefixtechnocracy, nountechno-geek, nountechnophobe, nountechy, telecentre, nountelecommuter, nountelematics, nounteleprinter, nounteleworker, nountemplate, nounterabyte, nounteraflop, nounterminal, nountestdeck, nountext-to-speech, adjectivethird-generation, adjectivethird-party software, thumbnail, nountickbox, nountick box, nountime out, nountime-sharing, nountitle bar, nountoggle, nountoner, nountoolbar, nountoolbox, nounTOPIC, nountop-level domain, nountop ranking, nounTorvalds, Linus, Toshiba, Tottenham Court Road, touchpad, nountouch screen, nountrackball, nountransaction processing, transputer, nounTrojan horse, nountroubleshooter, nounTTS, Turing, Alan, tutorial, nounundo, verbuninstall, verbunique visitor, nounUnix, noununlisted share, unlisted stock, unrecoverable error, unzip, verbup, adverbupdate, nounupgrade, verbupload, verbupload, nounuptime, nounusability, nounUSB, nounUSB drive, nounuser-friendly, adjectiveuser group, nounuser interface, nounuser name, nounUS Robotics, utility, nounVActor, nounvalid, adjectivevalue-added reseller, vapourware, nounVDT, nounVDU, nounVGA, nounvideocard, nounvideo game, nounvideo snacking, nounviral marketing, nounvirtual, adjectivevirtual corporation, virtually, adverbvirtual memory, nounvirtual office, nounvirtual organization, virtual reality, nounvirus, nounvoice print, nounvoice recognition, wallpaper, nounWAN, nounWAP, noun-ware, suffixwar game, nounWAV, nounwearable, nounWeb 2.0, nounweb browser, nounweb crawler, nounweb design, nounweb development, web-enabled, adjectiveweb hosting, nounweb log, nounweb log file, wide area network, wi-fi, nounWi-Fi, nounwild card, nounwindow, nounWindows, Wintel, wipe, verbWiponet, nounwireless internet, wireless networking, nounWord, Wordperfect, word processor, nounworkspace, nounworkstation, nounWorld Wide Web, the, worm, nounWozniak, Steve, write, verbwrite-protected, adjectiveWYSIWYG, nounXbox, XML, nounY2K, nounYahoo!, zap, verbzip file, nounzombie, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs
There was a long silence before anybody spoke.
· At the doorway she paused briefly.
(=for a very short time)· He paused momentarily, then knocked twice more.
· 'They have offered us a lot of money.' She paused dramatically.
phrases· He paused for a moment, seemingly overcome by emotion.
· She had to pause for breath after every two or three steps.
· 'Of course,' she replied, without pausing for thought.
(=in order to make people eager to hear what you are going to say)· 'Now I know what to do,' Brown said, pausing for effect.
· He paused only to make a few notes, and left.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· She talked solidly for five minutes, hardly pausing for breath.
· There was a brief pause before he replied.
There was a long silence before anybody spoke. (=stop speaking or doing something for a short time)· Lisa paused a moment, then said ‘yes’.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Her erratic gaze paused briefly on the broken nail she was picking with her other hand.· She paused briefly to tidy her hair and smooth the creases from her skirt, then led the way into the house.· Closing the door behind me I paused briefly and listened.· Henri paused briefly under an archway, a glimmer of sadness pulsing within him.
· He would pause only to take a meal in the dining-room, where he would sell his pens to visiting salesmen.· They eat almost continuously for a month, pausing only to shed their skins several times to accommodate their ever-increasing bodies.· He paused only the once, gazing down at the burnt meat that had been his friend and comrade for so long.· Astonished Humberside airport workers watched the bosses pause only to check their briefcases and take souvenir snaps of their twin-engine plane.· He paused only to shake the wet from his shoulders, then trod up the slippery slope to the house door.
NOUN· She paused for breath and found her hand on the grey standing stone.· He stops, pausing for breath.· At the top of the cliff we paused to catch our breath and look around.· They would pause for breath, swear, and then come together again, their fists up, moving in.· We clung together, breathless, until we had to pause for breath.· Then, without pausing for breath or breaking her stride, she pushed open the door of his private office.
· He turned and headed for the door where he paused for a moment.· Outside the door she paused, breathing the chill and chilling air.· As he passed Jenny's door he paused momentarily, but shook his head at himself and went on down the stairs.· Alison accompanied him to the door, where they paused.· Outside Phoebe's open bedroom door Rachel paused, wondering if her daughter had heard the explosion and responded to it.
· Despite all her resolution, she paused outside the plate-glass doorway and looked around guiltily.· She paused in the doorway leading to the grey corridor that ran across the back of the house.· The clerk glared angrily at him as he paused in the doorway.· She paused in the doorway of Nathan's room.
· The clanging made Noddy pause for a moment which allowed Geoffrey to get out into the front path.· He paused for a moment, increasing the magnification on the microscope.· Let us pause, for a moment, to note what that would entail.· Let's pause for a moment, while I ask you to imagine the smell of newly baked bread or freshly percolated coffee.· He paused for a moment, his head bowed in silent prayer.· Stop and think Let's pause for a moment and think about this issue of arguments and the learning process.
· Their sparring for position of least-favoured son gave me pause for thought.· Then he paused to collect his thoughts.· Hidden hostilities have given you pause for thought.· It has affected me and made me pause for thought.· Back to the other chair, and so on - moving every time you pause for thought.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[intransitive] to stop speaking or doing something for a short time before starting againpause for- The problem with his lofty sentiments and pregnant pauses was that they were completely eclipsed by his reputation.
- There was a long silence - what I think might be called a pregnant pause.
She paused for a moment. He paused for breath, then continued up the hill. ‘No,’ he replied, without pausing for thought.pause to do something Joe paused to consider his answer.► see thesaurus at stop2[intransitive, transitive] to push a button on a CD player, DVD player etc in order to make a CD, DVD etc stop playing for a short timeCOLLOCATIONSadverbsbriefly· At the doorway she paused briefly.momentarily (=for a very short time)· He paused momentarily, then knocked twice more.dramatically· 'They have offered us a lot of money.' She paused dramatically.phrasespause (for) a moment· He paused for a moment, seemingly overcome by emotion.pause for breath· She had to pause for breath after every two or three steps.pause for thought· 'Of course,' she replied, without pausing for thought.pause for effect (=in order to make people eager to hear what you are going to say)· 'Now I know what to do,' Brown said, pausing for effect.pause only to do something· He paused only to make a few notes, and left.THESAURUSpause to stop speaking or stop doing something for a very short time before starting again. Pause is used especially in written descriptions. In everyday spoken English, people usually just say stop: · She paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at the clock.· He paused, waiting for Larry to say something.hesitate to stop for a moment and wait before doing something, because you feel unsure or nervous about it: · She hesitated for a moment before replying.have/take a break to stop working for a short time in order to rest, eat etc: · We’re all getting tired. Let’s take a break for ten minutes.adjourn formal if a meeting or court adjourns or is adjourned, it stops for a short time: · If there are no more questions, the committee will adjourn until tomorrow morning.· The trial was adjourned because one of the defendants was ill.take five especially American English informal to stop for a short time in order to rest: · Let’s take five and get some coffee.break off to suddenly stop speaking, especially because you see, hear, or think of something: · He broke off his conversation when he saw Mary running towards him.· She broke off and looked embarrassed, then said, ‘I’ll explain later.’pause1 verbpause2 noun
pausepause2 ●●● W2 noun [countable] WORD ORIGINpause2
Origin:
1400-1500 Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein ‘to stop’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After a brief pause, Sharon said, "You're right."
- After a long pause, Barney said: "Yes, I suppose you're right."
- There was a pause in the conversation as everyone turned to say hello to Paul.
- We worked for four hours without a pause.
- Balvinder Singh dropped me outside during a brief pause in the rain.
- Even seemingly innocuous turnstile-exits with interlocking horizontal bars give my sister pause, however.
- I said after a short pause.
- So if pauses are necessary, it is legitimate to ask what a speaker is doing during these periods of silence.
- The best he could do to simulate this pause for reflection, was to use repetition at certain points.
- There was a long pause, then, before it observed that some-thing was falling down toward it from the orbiting ship.
- There was no pause among them, no need to conjure either the memory or the boat itself.
Longman Language Activatorto stop doing something for a short time before continuing
written to stop speaking or stop doing something for a very short time before starting again: · Kim was reading her e-mail, but she paused and looked up when I came in.· Lawrence paused and turned to me: "Look, if you don't think it's a good idea, don't go."pause for breath (=use this when you need to rest for a moment, especially when you are talking): · She talked for about twenty minutes without even pausing for breath.pause to do something: · We waited while Graham paused to light a cigarette.
to stop doing something for a short time, before continuing again: · Can we stop at the next services and get something to eat?stop for coffee/lunch/a break etc (=stop what you are doing, so you can have coffee, lunch etc): · We'll stop for lunch at 12:30.stop to look/listen/watch/talk/rest etc (=stop in order to look at something etc): · We stopped to listen to a group of boys who were playing guitars in the street.· I stopped to rest for a few minutes.stop doing something (for a moment/while etc): · Could you stop making that noise for a moment?· The baby hadn't stopped crying for two whole hours.
to stop for a moment and wait before doing something, because you feel unsure or nervous about it: · She hesitated for a moment before replying.· Barry stood at the door, hesitating. Should he walk straight in or knock?
to stop doing something in order to rest, eat etc especially spoken to stop working for a while in order to rest, eat etc: · We're all getting tired. Let's take a break for ten minutes.· Is it all right if we have a break at about 10.30?have a quick/short/five minute etc break: · If you're working at a computer, it's best if you have a quick break at least once an hour.
American informal to stop for a while in order to rest: · Let's take five and get some coffee.
informal to stop for a while because you want a rest, especially because you have been doing something very difficult or tiring: · It's 12 o' clock. Why don't we take a breather?· I'd only been running for five minutes, but I had to stop and take a breather.
to stop working and have lunch, a coffee break, a holiday etc: · At 12.30, the committee broke for lunch.· There's still an enormous amount of work to do before we break for Christmas.
to stop for a while and rest, either because you are tired or in order to do something else: · Try to take time out and get together with the kids.take time out to do something: · Taking time out to relax each day is important during pregnancy.take time out from/of: · The President took time out from his busy schedule to speak to the crowds.
also recess American formal if a meeting or court adjourns , or if someone in authority adjourns it, the meeting or court stops for a short time, for example so that more information can be collected: · If there are no more questions, the committee will adjourn until tomorrow morning.· "The court will recess for twenty minutes," Judge Bart said.· The trial was adjourned for two weeks until the psychiatrist's report was ready.
a period of time when you stop doing something a long or short period when you stop your work or normal activities, before continuing them again later: · She returned to her job after a six-month break.break from: · After finishing school, Craig felt he needed a break from studying.lunch/coffee/tea break (=when you stop work to have lunch, coffee etc): · You get a one hour lunch break, and fifteen minutes for a coffee break in the afternoon.
written a short period during which you stop speaking or stop doing something before starting again: · After a long pause, Barney said: "Yes, I suppose you're right."pause in: · There was a pause in the conversation as everyone turned to say hello to Paul.a pregnant pause (=a pause when someone is expected to say something, especially something awkward or embarrassing): · "Where's Matt?" There was a long and pregnant pause.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better: · The noise went on all night, without a single moment's respite.respite from: · The citizens had only a few days' respite from the conflict, before the shelling began again.be no/little respite: · Weathermen yesterday warned that there would be no respite from the gales.a brief/short-lived/temporary respite: · The drug can only provide a brief respite from the pain.a welcome respite: · Some mothers regard work as a welcome respite from the stress of looking after a home and children.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better. Letup is more informal than respite: · There was a short letup in the downpour after lunch.without (a) letup: · The fighting raged without a letup through the night,letup in: · Kline warned against any letup in the pilot's concentration.
a temporary break in busy activity, noise, talking, fighting etc: · There was a lull, and then the thunder came again.lull in: · Managers at Metrocentre have reported a lull in the recession, as takings continue to soar.· For two days there had been a lull in the fighting.· I waited for a lull in the conversation, before getting up to go.
a short time when you stop doing something difficult, tiring etc, so that people have time to think more clearly about the situation: · At last a temporary agreement was reached, which gave both sides a breathing space.breathing space to do something: · After the divorce, I badly needed some breathing space to try and rebuild my life.
a short period of time when schoolwork, a meeting, a game etc stops a short time between school classes when children can play, eat something etc: · The children have a fifteen-minute break at 11 o'clock.· Could you come and see me during afternoon break?
also interval British a planned pause during a play, concert, or film: · There will now be a short intermission.· Drinks will be on sale during the interval.
a planned pause during a play or concert, when music is often played: a musical/comic etc interlude: · Halfway through the performance there was a short musical interlude.· The dance provided a delightful comic interlude.
especially British /recess especially American a pause when a court, formal meeting, talks etc stop for a short time, so that more information can be collected or so that people can discuss something: · Mr Robertson applied for an adjournment, to see if witnesses could be traced.· The heated debate continued after a ninety-minute adjournment.· Peace talks resumed on June 15th, after a month-long recess.call a recess: · At four o'clock, the judge called a recess, and the jury was led out of the courtroom.be in recess: · The court will be in recess for twenty minutes.
when Parliament or Congress stops meeting for a period of time, in order to have a holiday : the summer/Easter/Christmas recess: · The Bill was brought before the House of Commons and passed before the summer recess.· Congress's two-week Easter recessbe in recess: · The House is in recess until January 22nd, when it will vote on the Bill.
WORD SETSa cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives There was a long silence before anybody spoke.
· There was a long pause before anyone spoke.
· "Well, that was a surprise," he said after a brief pause.
(=very short)· There was a momentary pause during which Mr Hammond glanced at his wife.
· After an awkward pause, Ray began to answer my question.
(=one that has a dramatic effect)· In the dramatic pause before she replied, you could feel the tension in the room.
(=one that is full of meaning or emotion)· ‘OK. Let’s move on,’ said the president after a pregnant pause.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· She talked solidly for five minutes, hardly pausing for breath.
· There was a brief pause before he replied.
There was a long silence before anybody spoke. (=stop speaking or doing something for a short time)· Lisa paused a moment, then said ‘yes’.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· His eyebrows rose slightly at her scarcely hidden hostility, and there was an awkward pause.· An awkward pause swelled in the room.
· Just a few words, but there was a nod of understanding, the briefest pause, before the two men stood.· There was a brief pause, then the caller tried again.· Balvinder Singh dropped me outside during a brief pause in the rain.· But there was a brief and uncharacteristic pause before he continued.· The brief pause while he slipped off his clothing was like agony; then he was next to her, hard and demanding.· At last, when there was a brief pause, Woodruffe cleared his throat.· Disconnected speech Brief pauses are required in the speech to discriminate between different words.
· After a long pause, she nodded and the story emerged of a stillbirth she had experienced in her early twenties.· A long pause, then the pointer went to fifty.· Just a long, sad pause.· The presence of the light was sufficient to reduce the number of long pauses by 35 percent.· There was a long pause during which Julian, instantly defensive, took stock of the situation.· The most consistent paratone-final marker is the long pause, normally exceeding one second.· After a long pause, yes.· Apparently they did, for there was a long pause before the door hissed open.
· Algernon Peckham glanced at him, and there was a momentary pause before he moved on to speak to James Pegg.· Their faces were blue, and their stillness not a mass death but as though a momentary pause in group exercise.· There was a momentary pause, and then the sentence he had typed was repeated in soft tones through the right-hand earpiece.· The momentary pause had turned suspicion into certainty.
· The problem with his lofty sentiments and pregnant pauses was that they were completely eclipsed by his reputation.· There was a long silence - what I think might be called a pregnant pause.
· After a short pause to watch us, she passed on surrounded by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset and other local dignitaries.· I said after a short pause.· In speech, however, this division is marked by intonation as well as by a short pause.
· Then the slight pause, the half-second of calm and false progress.
NOUN· Both machines have a pause button for interruptions.· Everything freezes on the court, like some one has hit the pause button and suspended the characters in a movie.· Every few seconds, Jody hits the pause button, freezing a frame to show them how out of position they are.· Remember when we talked about the pause button on a video camera?
VERB· Knowing what Edmund has done to his real father might have given Cornwall pause before proclaiming himself the next one.· Even seemingly innocuous turnstile-exits with interlocking horizontal bars give my sister pause, however.· The title itself gives pause for thought.· The breadth of this holding gives one pause.· It is a comparison which should give pause to those tempted automatically to condemn the Government.· But it gave you some pause to think of what else might be crawling around there.· But the example of Handel's operas and Weber's Euryanthe give one pause.· The ease with which the supposedly neutral prosecutorial apparatus is manipulated should give us all pause.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a short time during which someone stops speaking or doing something before starting again: - High real estate prices have given potential buyers pause.
- But it gave you some pause to think of what else might be crawling around there.
- Even seemingly innocuous turnstile-exits with interlocking horizontal bars give my sister pause, however.
- It gave him pause, but soon enough he had his own retort.-Yeah, right.
- Knowing what Edmund has done to his real father might have given Cornwall pause before proclaiming himself the next one.
- The breadth of this holding gives one pause.
- Their sparring for position of least-favoured son gave me pause for thought.
- Yet the offer seems to have given Burton no pause.
- The problem with his lofty sentiments and pregnant pauses was that they were completely eclipsed by his reputation.
- There was a long silence - what I think might be called a pregnant pause.
There was a pause while Alice changed the tape. After a long pause, she went on.pause in an awkward pause in the conversation2 (also pause button) a control which allows you to stop a CD player, DVD player etc for a short time and start it again3a mark ( ) over a musical note, showing that the note is to be played or sung longer than usual4give somebody pause (for thought) to make someone stop and consider carefully what they are doing: an avoidable accident that should give us all pause for thoughtCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa long pause· There was a long pause before anyone spoke.a brief/short/slight pause· "Well, that was a surprise," he said after a brief pause.a momentary pause (=very short)· There was a momentary pause during which Mr Hammond glanced at his wife.an awkward pause· After an awkward pause, Ray began to answer my question.a dramatic pause (=one that has a dramatic effect)· In the dramatic pause before she replied, you could feel the tension in the room.a pregnant pause (=one that is full of meaning or emotion)· ‘OK. Let’s move on,’ said the president after a pregnant pause.