'armistice' originates from French, specifically the word 'armistice', where the element 'arme' meant 'arms' (weapons) and the suffix ultimately derives from Latin roots related to 'sistere' meaning 'to stand/stop'.

'armistice' came into English from French 'armistice' in the early 17th century; the formation combines the notion of 'arms' with a root meaning 'to stop,' yielding the sense 'stopping of arms' which developed into the modern English word 'armistice'.

Initially, it meant 'a stopping of arms' (literally stopping weapons); over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an agreement to stop fighting; a truce'.