First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1halt
adjective \ˈhȯlt\
Definition of HALT
: lame
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Origin of HALT
Middle English, from Old English healt; akin to Old High German halz lame
2halt
verb
Definition of HALT
intransitive verb
1
: to walk or proceed lamely : limp
2
: to stand in perplexity or doubt between alternate courses : waver
3
: to display weakness or imperfection : falter
First Known Use of HALT
before 12th century
3halt
noun
: the stopping or ending of movement, progress, or action
: a small railroad stop at which there is no station
Full Definition of HALT
: stop
See halt defined for English-language learners
Origin of HALT
German, from Middle High German, from halt, imperative of halten to hold, from Old High German haltan — more at hold
First Known Use: circa 1598
Related to HALT
- Synonyms
- deadlock, gridlock, impasse, logjam, Mexican standoff, stalemate, standoff, standstill
- Antonyms
- continuance, continuation
4halt
verb
Definition of HALT
intransitive verb
1
: to cease marching or journeying
2
: discontinue, terminate <the project halted for lack of funds>
transitive verb
1
: to bring to a stop <the strike halted subways and buses>
2
: to cause the discontinuance of : end <halt hostilities>
First Known Use of HALT
1656
HALT Defined for Kids
1halt
verb \ˈhȯlt\
halt·edhalt·ing
Definition of HALT for Kids
1
: to stop or cause to stop marching or traveling
2
: 2end <We halt work at four o'clock.>
2halt
noun
Definition of HALT for Kids
: 1end 2 <Call a halt to the fighting.>
Learn More About HALT
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