First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1cease
verb \ˈsēs\
: to stop happening : to end
: to stop doing (something)
ceasedceas·ing
Full Definition of CEASE
transitive verb
: to cause to come to an end especially gradually : no longer continue <they were forced to cease operations> <cease to exist>
intransitive verb
1
a : to come to an end <the fighting gradually ceased> b : to bring an activity or action to an end : discontinue <they have been ordered to cease and desist>
2
obsolete : to become extinct : die out
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Origin of CEASE
Middle English cesen, from Anglo-French cesser, from Latin cessare to hold back, be remiss, frequentative of cedere
Related to CEASE
Synonym Discussion of CEASE
stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity. stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness <stopped at the red light>. cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality <by nightfall the fighting had ceased>. quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing <the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether>. discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice <we have discontinued the manufacture of that item>. desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing <desisted from further efforts to persuade them>.
2cease
noun
Definition of CEASE
: cessation —usually used with without
First Known Use of CEASE
14th century
Related to CEASE
- Synonyms
- arrest, arrestment, end, cessation, check, close, closedown, closure, conclusion, cutoff, discontinuance, discontinuation, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, offset, shutdown, shutoff, stay, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination
- Antonyms
- continuance, continuation
CEASE Defined for Kids
cease
verb \ˈsēs\
ceasedceas·ing
Definition of CEASE for Kids
: to come or bring to an end : stop <The talking ceased.>
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