Standstill is a state of rest or the cessation of a certain activity. The word originated from the stand still phrase.
The announcement of a debt standstill on November 25th by Dubai World, a conglomerate based in the desert emirate, was almost as effective in catching investors unaware. (The Economist)
A general strike called by Ecuador’s major unions brought the country to a standstill today, Labor Minister Vladimiro Alvarez Grau said. (NY Times)
