Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cease \Cease\ (s[=e]s), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ceased}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Ceasing}.] [OE. cessen, cesen, F. cesser, fr. L.
   cessare, v. intemsive 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.

   2. To be wanting; to fail; to pass away.

            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.