surcease

American  

[sur-sees] / sɜrˈsis /

verb (used without object)

surceased, surceasing

1. to cease from some action; desist.

2. to come to an end.

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verb (used with object)

surceased, surceasing

1. Archaic. to cease from; leave off.

noun

1. cessation; end.

surcease British  

/ sɜːˈsiːs /

noun

1. cessation or intermission

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verb

1. to desist from (some action)

2. to cease or cause to cease

Etymology

Origin of surcease

1400–50; sur- ¹ + cease; replacing late Middle English sursesen (v.) < Middle French sursis (past participle of surseoir ) < Latin supersessus (past participle of supersedēre to forbear; supersede ), equivalent to super- super- + sed ( ēre ) sit ¹ + -tus past participle suffix, with dt > ss

Example Sentences

So if there is surcease from sorrow, and my name is attached to it, thank God.”

From New York Times

Turtles on top of turtles on top of more turtles without surcease.

From New York Times

"Acting is giving a blessing and getting a blessing. You can feel it all over, and when you make people laugh, you do what Shakespeare says: You give surcease from sorrow," he said.

From Fox News

All readers will admire her unadorned but wise summation that answered prayers are “a surcease of worry.”

From Seattle Times

I'll hope for just a few years to spend not wishing every day were over just a weekend, and a momentary surcease.

From New York Times