/sees/ , v. , ceased, ceasing , n.
v.i.
1. to stop; discontinue: Not all medieval beliefs have ceased to exist.
2. to come to an end: At last the war has ceased.
3. Obs. to pass away; die out.
v.t.
4. to put a stop or end to; discontinue: He begged them to cease their quarreling.
n.
5. cessation: The noise of the drilling went on for hours without cease.
[ 1250-1300; ME ces ( s ) en cesser cessare to leave off, equiv. to cess ( us ) (ptp. of cedere to withdraw, go; ced- go + -tus ptp. suffix) + -a- thematic vowel + -re inf. ending; see CEDE ]
Syn. 2. terminate, end, culminate.
Ant. 1, 2. begin.