v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Ceased 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be wanting; to fail; to pass away. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To put a stop to; to bring to an end. [ 1913 Webster ]

But he, her fears to cease
Sent down the meek-eyed peace. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cease, then, this impious rage. Milton [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Extinction. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Without pause or end; incessant. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Without intermission or end. [ 1913 Webster ]