desist

[ dih-zist, -sist ]

/ dɪˈzɪst, -ˈsɪst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR desist ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to cease, as from some action or proceeding; stop.

Nearby words

desirable, desire, desire under the elms, desired, desirous, desist, desk, desk calendar, desk clerk, desk copier, desk jobber

Origin of desist

1425–75; late Middle English < Old French desister < Latin dēsistere to leave off, equivalent to dē- de- + sistere to stand, place, akin to stāre to stand

Related forms

de·sist·ance, de·sist·ence, nounnon·de·sist·ance, nounnon·de·sist·ence, nounnon·de·sist·ing, adjective, noun

un·de·sist·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for desist

He said that when he told her to desist, she threatened to hit herself and then tell the cops that he had done it.
The Black Widow of Silicon Valley|Michael Daly|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then there are the cases where the FEC does issue a cease and desist directive—only to be completely ignored.
Hillary’s SuperPAC War Proves Yet Again That Campaign Finance Needs a Fix|Michelle Cottle|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is not your duty to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.
I Will Not Return to the Dark Reality of Putin's Russia|Garry Kasparov|June 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I hereby call on all Republicans involved in any voter suppression efforts to cease and desist immediately.
Four Things Reince Priebus Could Say That Would Matter|Michael Tomasky|March 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

And I wish, for the sake of our country and in the name of decency, both sides would cease and desist.
Campbell Brown: Keep Newtown Off the Culture War Battlefield|Campbell Brown|December 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
As winter advanced the Indians were obliged to desist from war and go into the forest in small companies to hunt.
Four American Indians|Edson L. Whitney
He consents, for example, to desist from self-defence, that he and all may be more effectually defended by the public force.
Slavery|William E. Channing
On this you desist, to ask a few questions: "The dog has often called out in that manner?"
The Dog|Dinks, Mayhew, and Hutchinson
The man did not desist from his act of mercy, but when it was done he, too, seems to have echoed those uneasy words.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 03|Various
The slaughter went on until nightfall, but the wearied conquerors were then obliged to desist from the pursuit.
History of the United Netherlands, 1600-09, Vol. IV. Complete|John Lothrop Motley

British Dictionary definitions for desist

desist

/ (dɪˈzɪst) /

verb

(intr often foll by from) to cease, as from an action; stop or abstain

Derived Formsdesistance or desistence, noun

Word Origin for desist

C15: from Old French desister, from Latin dēsistere to leave off, stand apart, from de- + sistere to stand, halt

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for desist

desist

mid-15c., from Middle French désister (mid-14c.), from Latin desistere "to stand aside, leave off, cease," from de- "off" (see de-) + sistere "stop, come to a stand" (see assist). Related: Desisted; desisting.

Idioms and Phrases with desist

desist

see cease and desist.

desist

verb (used without object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of desist

Examples from the Web for desist

British Dictionary definitions for desist

desist

verb

Word Origin for desist

Word Origin and History for desist

desist

Idioms and Phrases with desist

desist