cease Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (`cease' is a noun only in the phrase `without cease') end
  2. verb put an end to a state or an activity
    quit; discontinue; lay off; stop; give up.
    • Quit teasing your little brother
  3. verb have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical
    stop; finish; end; terminate.
    • the bronchioles terminate in a capillary bed
    • Your rights stop where you infringe upon the rights of other
    • My property ends by the bushes
    • The symphony ends in a pianissimo

WordNet

Cease intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. cessen, cesen, F. cesser, fr. L. cessare, v. intemsive fr. cedere to withdraw. See Cede , and cf. Cessation.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ceased ; present participle & verbal noun Ceasing
Definitions
  1. To come to an end; to stop; to leave off or give over; to desist; as, the noise ceased "To cease from strife." Prov. xx. 3.
  2. To be wanting; to fail; to pass away.
    The poor shall never cease out of the land. Deut. xv. 11.
    Syn. -- To intermit; desist; stop; abstain; quit; discontinue; refrain; leave off; pause; end.
Cease transitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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
Cease noun
Definitions
  1. Extinction. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913