'ceasefire' originates from English, specifically the combination of the words 'cease' and 'fire', where 'cease' came from Old French 'cesser' meaning 'to stop' and 'fire' came from Old English 'fyr' meaning 'shooting or firearms'.

'cease' changed from the Old French word 'cesser' (ultimately from Latin roots such as 'cedere'/'cessare') and 'fire' changed from the Old English word 'fyr'; these elements were combined in modern English to form 'ceasefire'.

Initially, it meant 'a stopping of shooting or gunfire', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a temporary suspension of hostilities or an agreement to stop fighting'.