n.
Pronunciation: ' s ē s
Function: verb
Inflected Form: ceased ; ceas · ing
Etymology: Middle English cesen, from Anglo-French cesser, from Latin cessare to hold back, be remiss, frequentative of cedere
Date: 14th century
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
synonyms see STOP