The term has broadened so it now represents a cessation of hostilities between two opposing forces – say a tiff between two groups (tiff is a quarrel).

The word truce goes back at least to 867. It was spelt in various forms such as trewes. Even trieux.

Historically, the word is simply the plural of the noun version of true. In old English, this was treow, or trewe, which meant faith or pledge, or friendship. Eventually the singular disappeared.

Then it represented a suspension of hostilities for a specified period between two armies at war, even combatants in a private feud. The word represented faithfulness.

Then it represented an unlimited period.

Then it followed an order by the church during certain days and seasons in medieval times. Then it followed a truce in a sporting contest.

Websters described truce as freedom from trouble or pain, in addition to a cessation of hostilities. Macquarie describes truce as an agreement to stop trouble and pain.

During World War 1, on December 24, 1914, there was an unofficial ceasefire on the western front for Christmas.

This was an unofficial truce. No officiaI treaty was signed, and the war resumed after a few days.

Collins described truce as an agreement between two groups of people to stop fighting.

An armistice is a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, since it may constitute only a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace.

It is derived from the Latin arma meaning "arms" (as in weapons) and stitium, meaning "a stopping".

A truce may be needed in order to negotiate an armistice.

lauriebarber.com; lbword@midoast.com.au