Truce Meaning
/tɹuːs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA period of time in which no fighting takes place due to an agreement between the opposed parties.
nounAn agreement between opposed parties in which they pledge to cease fighting for a limited time.
Sentence Examples
Then is it war again, after so long a truce?
The truce did not last long.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
After years of war, the two nations finally signed a lasting ____ to bring peace.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After several weeks of conflict, the two rival groups eventually agreed to a temporary ____ to discuss a peace plan today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English trewes, triwes, trues, plural of trewe, triewe, true (“faithfulness, assurance, pact”), from Old English trēowa, singularized plural of trēow, trȳw (“faith; pledge; agreement”), from Proto-West Germanic *treuwu, from Proto-Germanic *trewwō (compare Dutch trouw, German Treue, Danish tro, French trêve [< Germanic]), noun form of *triwwiz (“trusty, faithful”). More at true.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[I]n about ſix VVeeks or tvvo Months, the Dyſentery gave Truce, in vvhich Time I vvas often fretted vvith ſtrangurious Symptoms."
— 1732 September 30 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Dr. Cranstoun, “The Objections against a Regimen, Especially a Milk, Seed, and Vegetable Diet, Considered. The Case of the Learned and Ingenous Dr. Cranstoun, in a Letter to the Author at His Desire, in Dr. Cranstoun’s Own Words.”, in George Cheyne, The English Malady: Or, A Treatise of Nervous Diseases of All Kinds, […], London: […] G[eorge] Strahan […]; Bath, Somerset: J. Leake, published 1733, →OCLC, part III (Containing Variety of Cases that Illustrate and Confirm the Foregoing Method of Cure. […]), page 321:
"They should meet that night on some neutral spot to ratify the truce."
— 1826, [Mary Shelley], chapter IV, in The Last Man. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC:
"[T]hey marked their truce by each of them, Aesir and Vanir alike, one by one spitting into a vat. As their spit mingled, so was their agreement made binding."
— 2017, Neil Gaiman, Norse Mythology, Bloomsbury Publishing, page 108:
"Only undaunted Henry de Tracey […] held up the cause; trucing at last, in loyal terms, till the king should become more powerful and be able in person to restrain the country."
— 1869, Thomas Cobbe, History of the Norman Kings of England, page 330:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After years of war, the two nations finally signed a lasting ____ to bring peace.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After several weeks of conflict, the two rival groups eventually agreed to a temporary ____ to discuss a peace plan today.