CEASE

I. verb (~d; ceasing) 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 , intransitive verb 1. to come to an end , to bring an activity or action to an end ; discontinue , to become extinct ; die out , see: stop II. noun Date: 14th century cessation