The Collaborative International Dictionary
Truce \Truce\, n. [OE. trewes, triwes, treowes, pl. of trewe a truce, properly, pledge of fidelity, truth, AS. tre['o]w fidelity, faith, troth. See True.]
(Mil.) A suspension of arms by agreement of the commanders of opposing forces; a temporary cessation of hostilities, for negotiation or other purpose; an armistice.
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Hence, intermission of action, pain, or contest; temporary cessation; short quiet.
Where he may likeliest find Truce to his restless thoughts.
--Milton.Flag of truce (Mil.), a white flag carried or exhibited by one of the hostile parties, during the flying of which hostilities are suspended.
Truce of God, a suspension of arms promulgated by the church, which occasionally took place in the Middle Ages, putting a stop to private hostilities at or within certain periods.
Usage examples of "truce of god".
It was Holy Saturday and the Truce of God was in effect, yet prudence and courtesy required that I be fully armed, covered head to toe with chain mail and astride my warhorse, Witchfire.
Perhaps the Truce of God, when he was fourteen, gave him a little more freedom to be boyish, but when he was sixteen he was thought fit to be knighted, and when he was eighteen the barons sensed a danger that he would soon be stronger and tougher than any of them.
It's Christmas Day, there always used to be a Truce of God on such a day, so why not for us?