Truce Comes From the Word for Faith
A truce is a temporary halt in fighting. The Old English behind it means pledges of good faith.
A truce is an agreement to stop fighting temporarily. The word is built on trust: it is the plural of Middle English *trewe*, meaning faith or pledge, from the same root as *true* and *trust*. A truce is literally an exchange of good faith rather than a legal settlement. It differs from an *armistice*, which is a formal agreement to end hostilities, and from a *ceasefire*, usually a local or temporary halt. The Christmas Truce of 1914 is the most famous unofficial example.
- A pause in fighting. *Call a truce.*
- Armistice — a formal end. *An armistice.*
- Ceasefire — a halt in firing. *A ceasefire.*
- True — the same root. *True.*
- Old English — *treow*, faith. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | truce | A truce. |
| Plural | truces | Truces. |
| Related | true | True. |
| Related | trust | Trust. |
| Old English | treow | Faith. |
- Both sides agreed a truce.War.
- The Christmas Truce of 1914.History.
- Trewe meant a pledge of faith.Etymology.
Truce, ceasefire and armistice
- Ceasefire — a halt in firing, often local and short
- Truce — a temporary agreed pause, resting on good faith
- Armistice — a formal agreement suspending hostilities
- Peace treaty — the legal end of a war
- An armistice is not peace — the 1918 Armistice preceded the treaty by months
Middle English *trewes*, plural of *trewe*, faith or pledge, from Old English *treow*, related to *true*.
Is a truce the same as an armistice?
No. A truce is a temporary pause resting on good faith; an armistice is a formal agreement to suspend hostilities.
Are truce and true related?
Yes. Both come from Old English treow, meaning faith or a pledge.