v.
 stop temporarily. 
▸temporarily interrupt (a process or device).
n.
 a temporary stop in action or speech. 
▸Music  a mark (6) over a note or rest that is to be lengthened by an unspecified amount.
 ▸a control allowing the temporary interruption of recording, playback, or other process.
Phrase
  
    
      - give someone pause 
(for thought)
 cause someone to think carefully or hesitate before doing something.
 
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr., from L. pausa, from Gk pausis, from pausein ‘to stop’.