Cease (sēs), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Ceased (sēst); p. pr. & vb. n.Ceasing.] [OE. cessen, cesen, F. cesser, fr. L. cessare, v. intensive fr. cedere to withdraw. See Cede, and cf. Cessation.] 1. To come to an end; to stop; to leave off or give over; to desist; as, the noise ceased. “To cease from strife.” Prov. xx. 3.
2. To be wanting; to fail; to pass away.
The poor shall never cease out of the land.
Deut. xv. 11.
Syn. — To intermit; desist; stop; abstain; quit; discontinue; refrain; leave off; pause; end.