cease
Pronounced:
/ˈsi:s/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
ceas·es; ceased; ceas·ingMeaning:
formal 1 [no obj] : to stop happening : to end ▪ The fighting along the border has temporarily ceased. ▪ The conversation abruptly ceased. [=halted] ▪ The noise ceased [=stopped] altogether. ▪ when the weary cease from their labors [=when people who are very tired stop working] ▪ The company was ordered by the court to cease and desist from selling the photographs. [=was ordered to immediately stop selling the photographs] —see also cease and desist order
2 [+ obj] : to stop doing (something) ▪ The factory ceased operations last year. ▪ The child would not cease his constant whining/complaining. ▪ The soldiers were ordered to cease fire. [=to stop shooting their weapons] —often followed by to + verb ▪ The program would cease to exist without private funding. ▪ He had long ceased to have any regrets. ▪ Her courage never ceases to amaze me. [=I am always amazed by her courage] —see also cease-fire
2 [+ obj] : to stop doing (something) ▪ The factory ceased operations last year. ▪ The child would not cease his constant whining/complaining. ▪ The soldiers were ordered to cease fire. [=to stop shooting their weapons] —often followed by to + verb ▪ The program would cease to exist without private funding. ▪ He had long ceased to have any regrets. ▪ Her courage never ceases to amaze me. [=I am always amazed by her courage] —see also cease-fire
wonders never cease —see 1wonder