English Dictionary
Definition of “desist”
desist (dɪˈzɪst
)
Definitions
verb
- (intr) often foll by from to cease, as from an action; stop or abstain
Alternative Forms
deˈsistance deˈsistence noun Word Origin
C15: from Old French desister, from Latin dēsistere to leave off, stand apart, from de- + sistere to stand, halt
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
stop,
cease,
refrain from
end,
kick,
give up,
suspend,
break off,
abstain,
discontinue,
leave off,
have done with,
give over,
forbear,
belay,
Usage examples
`A few more minutes and our worthy engineers might as well cease and desist.
Maclean, Alistair, San Andreas (1984)It would be advisable to ensure strict payment terms and desist from pushing volumes.
Business Today (1996)Both called on those who work with US forces to desist or face death.
Samachar (2005)The day the play was due to open, a telegram arrived from Albee with the thundering order: "Cease and desist forthwith.
Belfast Telegraph (2003)If these were not sufficient to cause the Soviet Union to desist , then American strategic weapons would be used.
Mcinnes, Colin & Sheffield G.D (eds.), Warfare in the Twentieth Century (1988)
