standstill

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Complete immobility; a halt.

   The wreck brought traffic to a standstill for hours.

2. 2
   noun

   an interruption of normal activity

3. 3
   noun

   a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible

Etymology

From stand + still, a deverbal from stand still. Compare Dutch stilstand (“standstill”), German Stillstand (“standstill”), Danish stilstand (“standstill”).