'ceasefire' originates from the combination of the words 'cease' and 'fire', where 'cease' meant 'to stop' and 'fire' referred to 'gunfire or shooting'.

'ceasefire' evolved from the phrase 'cease fire', which was used in military contexts to command a halt in shooting.

Initially, it meant 'to stop shooting', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a temporary suspension of fighting'.