De-sīst', v. i.

[imp. & p. p. DESISTED; p. pr. & vb. n. DESISTING.] [Lat. desistere, from de and sistere, to stand, set, stop; Fr. désister, It. desistere, Pr., Sp., & Pg. desistir.] To stand aside; to cease to proceed or act; to forbear;—often with from. “Never desisting to do evil.” Hall. “To desist from his bad practice.” Massinger.