PAUSE (Ital. Fermata; Fr. Point d'orgue; which last has an equivocal meaning, as it also signifies what we call ‘pedal point
’). A temporary cessation of the time of the movement, expressed by the sign placed over a note or a rest. If the pause is over a note, it signifies that the note is to be prolonged at the pleasure of the performer, or conductor; if over a rest, the sound, as well as the time, must stop...
