moratoria

moratorium, suspension

noun moh-rah-TOH-ryah Rare

Origin: From medieval Latin moratorium, from morari (to delay).

Usage Note

Moratoria is a formal legal and financial term for an agreed suspension of an obligation or debt repayment: una moratoria sul debito (a debt moratorium). The plural is le moratorie. It appears frequently in news about international finance and banking regulation.

Examples

"Il governo ha dichiarato una moratoria sui debiti."

Natural Translation

The government declared a moratorium on debts.

Literal Translation

The government has declared a moratorium on-the debts.

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