De‐sist″ (?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Desisted; p. pr. & vb. n.Desisting.] [L. desistere; de- + sistere to stand, stop, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. désister. See Stand.] To cease to proceed or act; to stop; to forbear; — often with from.
Never desisting to do evil. E. Hall.
To desist from his bad practice. Massinger.
Desist (thou art discern'd,
And toil'st in vain). Milton.