desist

American  

[dih-sist, -zist] / dɪˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst /

verb (used without object)

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

---

desist British  

/ dɪˈzɪst /

verb

1. to cease, as from an action; stop or abstain

---

desist Idioms  

1. see cease and desist.

---

Other Word Forms

• desistance noun
• desistence noun
• nondesisting adjective
• undesisting adjective

Etymology

Origin of desist

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Old French desister, from Latin dēsistere “to leave off,” equivalent to dē- de- + sistere “to stand, place,” akin to stāre “to stand” ( stand )

Example Sentences

The bar claims the firm refused to remove the attorney’s name from its website for years, ignoring a cease and desist letter from McBratney’s new employer.

From Los Angeles Times

Anderson "desisted" when the woman did not say yes and left the bedroom, at which point the complainant heard her vomiting in the bathroom.

From BBC

He tells BBC Newsbeat that he expected to receive a cease and desist letter from the retail giant after describing some of the clothes as "boring" and "tacky PE kit".

From BBC

Authorities said the agreement effectively restricted the number of resellers of Apple products on Amazon’s Spanish website and issued a cease and desist order for the companies to amend their contracts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Discovery, Paramount and Disney have all sent individual cease and desist letters, detailing the unauthorized reproduction of each of the studios’ copyrighted intellectual property.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abstain
• cease
• relinquish