Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Desist \De*sist"\ (?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desisted}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Desisting}.] [L. desistere; de- + sistere to
   stand, stop, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. d['e]sister. See
   {Stand}.]
   To cease to proceed or act; to stop; to forbear; -- often
   with from.

         Never desisting to do evil.              --E. Hall.

         To desist from his bad practice.         --Massinger.

         Desist (thou art discern'd, And toil'st in vain).
                                                  --Milton.

Source : WordNet®

desist
     v : choose no to consume; "I abstain from alcohol" [syn: {abstain},
          {refrain}] [ant: {consume}]