moratorium

mora·to·rium (môr′ə tôr′ē əm)

noun pl. -·ri·ums or -·ria-ə

a legal authorization, usually by a law passed in an emergency, to delay payment of money due, as by a bank or debtor nation
the effective period of such an authorization
any authorized delay or stopping of some specified activity

Etymology: ModL < neut. of LL moratorius, delaying < L morari, to delay < mora, a delay: see merit

Preposition: on

whaling: Norway in the IWC In 1982, the IWC adopted a moratorium on all commercial whaling, to take effect from 1986.
importation: The Economic Council of West African States ( ECOWAS ) has in place a voluntary moratorium on the importation and manufacturing of SALW.
growing: What is MAFF's position on the call by English Nature for a three year moratorium on the commercial growing of GM crops?
explosion: Pending entry into force, NPT parties called for a moratorium on nuclear test explosions.
testing: Five years ago, I extended the moratorium on testing passed by Congress in 1992.
planting: A moratorium on the planting of GM food crops.

Converse of object

declare: I want to declare a moratorium on further words.
impose: However, Ministers ruled out imposing a moratorium on special school closures.
overturn: The forum also heard the CBD's own scientific advisors advocate caution, and African NGOs slam the move to overturn the moratorium.
observe: Larry Stammer of the Los Angeles Times reports that Bishop Jon Bruno has said he will observe a personal moratorium on blessing same-sex unions.
announce: In announcing a moratorium, India has already accepted the basic obligation of the CTBT.

Adjective modifier

unilateral: Pakistan has declared a unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests.
five-year: The Forum had much to debate in light of the five-year moratorium on genetic testing which took effect from the start of November.
5-year: In March 2004, the Knesset ( Israel's parliament ) extended the previous 5-year moratorium, until March 2009.
two-year: In the light of public concern the HGC had advised the government to set a two-year moratorium on genetic tests for insurance.
indefinite: Mr Paul Szabo MP has called for an indefinite moratorium on embryo research.
four-year: The motion replaced an even tougher motion, which would have put a four-year moratorium on the general release of GM canola.

Modifies a noun

underwriting: Health insurers responded stating that stringent guidelines for moratoria underwriting were in place.

Noun used with modifier

de-facto: The outcry led the CBD to agree an international de-facto moratorium on use of Terminator in 2000.
missile: The DPRK, in pledging to indefinitely extend its missile test moratorium, has also gone a step beyond anything contained in the Code.

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