də̇ˈzist, dēˈ-, -ˈsi- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French desister, from Latin desistere, from de- + sistere to stand, stop, from stare to stand — more at stand
intransitive verb
: to give over or leave off : refrain from or forbear continuing an action, activity, or endeavor under way — often used with from or in
he had made two attempts to shave but his hand had been so unsteady that he had been obliged to desist — James Joyce
desisted in his effort to press love upon her — Sherwood Anderson
the city has been ordered to desist from further levies
— compare cease and desist order
transitive verb
obsolete : to cease from : discontinue
Synonyms: see stop