Cease

[imp. & p. p. CEASED (sēst); p. pr. & vb. n. CEASING.] [O. Eng. cesse, ceesse, Fr. cesser, Pr. & Pg. cessar, Sp. cesar, It. cessare, Lat. cessare, v. intensive from cedere, to withdraw.]

1Sense 1. To come to an end; to stop; to leave off or give over. “To cease from strife.” Prov. xx. 3.

2Sense 2. To be wanting; to fail.

The poor shall never cease out of the land. Deut. xv. 11.

v. t. To put a stop to; to bring to an end.

But he, her fears to cease, Sent down the meek-eyed Peace. Milton.

Cease, then, this impious rage. Milton.

n. Extinction. [Obs.]