Intermission in war film stops Erica fidgeting (9)
I believe the answer is:
armistice
'intermission in war' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'film stops erica fidgeting' is the wordplay.
'film' becomes 'mist' (to film over is to mist or fog over).
'stops' indicates putting letters inside (stopping can mean blocking a gap).
'fidgeting' is an anagram indicator (letters fidget or move around).
'erica' with letters rearranged gives 'arice'.
'mist' inserted within 'arice' is 'ARMISTICE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for armistice that I've seen before include "End of hostilities" , "Suspension of hostilities" , "when shooting stops" , "Cease-fire in order to conduct talks" , "harbinger of peace?" .)