I. (ˌ)sər-ˈsēs, ˈsər-ˌ verb
( sur·ceased ; sur·ceas·ing )
Etymology: Middle English sursesen, surcesen, from Anglo-French surceser, alteration of surseer, surseoir, from Latin supersedēre — more at supersede
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
: to desist from action ; also : to come to an end : cease
transitive verb
: to put an end to : discontinue
II. ˈsər-ˌsēs, (ˌ)sər-ˈ noun
Date: 1586
: cessation ; especially : a temporary respite or end
to borrow from my books surcease of sorrow — E. A. Poe