- armistice
- 1707, from Fr. armistice, coined 1688 on the model of L. solstitium (see solstice), etc., from L. arma "arms" (see arm (2)) + -stitium (used only in compounds), from sistere "cause to stand" (see assist). Ger. Waffenstillstand is a loan-transl. from Fr. Armistice Day (1919) marked the end of the Great War of 1914-18 on Nov. 11, 1918. In Britain, after World War II, it merged with Remembrance Day. In U.S., Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1926. In 1954, to honor World War II and Korean War veterans as well, it was re-dubbed Veterans Day.