Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
HALT
I. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English healt; akin to Old High German halz lame Date: before 12th century lame ,
II. intransitive verb Date: before 12th century to walk or proceed lamely ; limp , to stand in perplexity or doubt between alternate courses ; waver , to display weakness or imperfection ; falter ,
III. noun see: hold
Date: circa 1598
stop ,
IV. verb
Date: 1656
intransitive verb to cease marching or journeying, discontinue , terminate , transitive verb to bring to a stop , to cause the discontinuance of ; end