Pause (pa̤z), n. [F., fr. L. pausa. See Pose.] 1. A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
2. Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence; doubt.
I stand in pause where I shall first begin. Shak.
3. In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.
4. In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
5. A break or paragraph in writing.
He writes with warmth, which usually neglects method, and those partitions and pauses which men educated in schools observe. Locke.
6. (Mus.) A hold. See 4th Hold, 7.
Syn. — Stop; cessation; suspension.