The exhibition of a flag of truce has been religiously respected amongst civilized nations. It is a request by signal to desist from farther warfare, until the object of the truce requested has been acceded to or rejected.
·noun Hence, intermission of action, pain, or contest; temporary cessation; short quiet. II. Truce ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
A white flag, hoisted to denote a wish to parley between the belligerent parties, but so frequently ...
The Sailor's Word-Book