v. & n.
--v.tr. & intr. stop; bring or come to an end (ceased breathing).
--n. (in without cease) unending.
Phrases and idioms:
cease fire Mil. stop firing. cease-fire n.
1. the order to do this.
2 a period of truce; a suspension of hostilities.
Etymology: ME f. OF cesser, L cessare frequent. of cedere cess- yield