Emily Dickinson Lexicon

pause (-s), n. [Fr. < L. pausa, halt, stop < Gk παὐ-ειυ, to stop.] (webplay: cease, playing, stop, wait).

1. Holiday; brief resting period; temporary enjoyment; cessation of labor.
2. Cessation; interval of silence; musical rest.
3. Setback; temporary obstacle to progress; [fig.] disappointment; difficulty; trial.
4. [Fig.] decline; decay; degeneration; deterioration; cessation of progress.
5. [Fig.] nothingness; void; vacuity; empty space.
6. [Fig.] death; lack of life; loss of ability to progress.
7. [Fig.] stopping place; area for resting.