Cease

Definition

Cease refers to bringing something to an end or stopping an action, activity, or event. It implies the termination of a process or state of being.

Parts of Speech

• Verb (to stop or come to an end)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /siːs/
• Respelling: SEES

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /siːs/
• Respelling: SEES

Etymology

The word "cease" comes from the Old French word "cesser," which means "to stop or give up," and the Latin "cessare," meaning "to delay or stop." It has been used in English since the late 14th century, primarily in the context of bringing actions or processes to an end.

Derivatives

• Ceaseless (adjective)
• Ceaselessly (adverb)
• Ceasing (verb/noun)
• Unceasing (adjective)
• Unceasingly (adverb)

Synonyms

• Stop
• End
• Halt

Antonyms

• Continue
• Persist
• Begin

Usage

The word "cease" is often used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate the stopping of actions or activities. For example, "The factory ceased operations due to the economic downturn," or "They were ordered to cease all hostilities." It can be used in various fields, including legal, military, and conversational contexts.

Related Terms

• Terminate: To bring something to an end.
• Suspend: To temporarily stop or halt an action.
• Abandon: To give up or discontinue a course of action.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To stop doing something or come to an end: Refers to the act of halting or discontinuing an action or process.
  • Example: "They were forced to cease production due to lack of funding."
• To bring something to a stop: Refers to the act of causing an activity or state to come to an end.
  • Example: "The company ceased all operations after the merger."