moratory


mor·a·to·ri·um

M0418600 (môr′ə-tôr′ē-əm, mŏr′-)n. pl. mor·a·to·ri·ums or mor·a·to·ri·a (-tôr′ē-ə) 1. Law a. A lawful suspension of the payment of certain debts during a period of financial or civil distress.b. The period during which such a suspension occurs.2. A suspension of an ongoing or planned activity: a moratorium on timber cutting.
[From Late Latin morātōrium, neuter of morātōrius, delaying, from Latin morātus, past participle of morārī, to delay, from mora, delay.]
mor′a·to′ry adj.