surceasen.
/səːˈsiːs/, U.S. /ˈˌsərˈˌsiz/ archaic.
The action, or an act, of bringing or coming to an end; (a) cessation, stop; esp. (a) temporary cessation, suspension, or intermission.
a. Const. of or genitive. In modern use often with a reminiscence of quot. a1616.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > [noun]
lissc1000
ceasec1330
stintc1330
stinting1338
ceasinga1340
discontinuancea1398
cessationa1400
leaving-off?a1425
surceasingc1435
disusage1475
stop1483
staying1546
discontinuation1572
discontinuing1582
surcease1590
stintance1605
cessure1607
desisting1607
avocationa1617
desistance1632
sistencea1639
surceasementa1641
supersession1648
dispractice1673
breaking-off1683
estoppage1701
cess1703
cesser1809
shutdown1857
stoppage1865
shut-off1889
sign-off1919
1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. A4 Seeking with my hart a surcease of Armes.
1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. E2, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) My request is for the surcease of all this iarre.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. vii. 4 If th' Assassination Could trammell vp the Consequence, and catch With his surcease, Successe. View more context for this quotation
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures (1663) xlix. 193 By this surcease of Trade the Custom-houses.. fell much in their Revenue.
1710 D. Manley Mem. Europe II. 239 Nothing but Death can make that Man desist, who sustains almost its Pangs without a surcease of Diligence.
a1768 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. (1773) II. iv. iii. §24 Creditors sometimes grant voluntarily a surcease of personal execution in behalf of their debtor, which is commonly called a supersedere.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. xv. 330 The crafty pony availed himself of this surcease of discipline to twitch the rein out of Davie's hands.
1845 E. A. Poe Raven 10 Vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow.
1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic I. ii. vi. 514 They requested her Highness to order a general surcease of the inquisition.
1916 J. Buchan Nelson's Hist. War XIII. xciii. 53 It was carried on in all weathers..with no surcease of keenness.
b. Const. from.
ΚΠ
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxxi. 202 Surcease from labour is necessarie.
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 349 A surcease from all state medles.
1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. ii. 82 The Duke of York..commands a surcease from further hostility.
1879 G. A. Sala Paris herself Again II. xviii. 274 Private schools for boys give four days' surcease from lessons.
c. Without construction.
ΚΠ
1601 in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign Elizabeth (1845) II. 430 O endlesse ioy without surcease.
c1602 C. Marlowe tr. Ovid Elegies ii. xiv. sig. D2 Fruites ripe will fall, let springing things increase, Life is no light price of a small surcease.
1712 in J. Maclaurin Argts. & Decis. (1774) 50 After a long surcease, he renewed the cause.
1873 H. W. Longfellow Monk Casal-Maggiore in Aftermath i. 74 All the while he talked without surcease.
1881 Daily Tel. 25 Mar. 5/4 There is no surcease in the torrent of Princes..who continue to pour into the capital.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1918; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
surceasev.
/səːˈsiːs/, U.S. /ˈˌsərˈˌsiz/ archaic.† 4. † b. To cause to desist from some action. rare.† 5. To put off, defer; to delay till the end of, overpass (the time for doing something). Obsolete. rare.
1. intransitive. To leave off, desist, stop, cease from some action (finally or temporarily). (Cf. supersede v. 2a.)† d. transferred. To forbear, omit (to do something).
a. const. †of, from.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)]
i-swikec893
swikec897
atwindc1000
linOE
studegieOE
stintc1175
letc1200
stuttea1225
leavec1225
astint1250
doc1300
finec1300
blina1325
cease1330
stable1377
resta1382
ho1390
to say or cry ho1390
resta1398
astartc1400
discontinuec1425
surcease1428
to let offc1450
resista1475
finish1490
to lay a straw?a1505
to give over1526
succease1551
to put (also pack) up one's pipes1556
end1557
to stay (one's own or another's) hand1560
stick1574
stay1576
to draw bridle1577
to draw rein1577
to set down one's rest1589
overgive1592
absist1614
subsista1639
beholdc1650
unbridle1653
to knock offa1657
acquiesce1659
to set (up) one's rest1663
sista1676
stop1689
to draw rein1725
subside1734
remit1765
to let up1787
to wind (up) one's pirna1835
to cry crack1888
to shut off1896
to pack in1906
to close down1921
to pack up1925
to sign off1929
1428 Lett. Marg. Anjou & Bp. Beckington (Camden) 40 Men sayen hit hadde be muche better for me to have surcesed of my service long or this.
1429 Rolls of Parl. IV. 342/2 The Tresorer.., may have in commaundement by Writt, to sursese of any proces made.
1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 425/2 That the seide Collectours..sursease of eny levie to make.
?1510 T. More in tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola Lyfe I. Picus sig. d.iiv Wherfor he counceiled Picus to surceace of study.
1538 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 159 The kinges pleasure is that..you do Surcese and cause the partie to surces frome any further sute.
1549 Forme & Maner consecratyng Archebishoppes sig. A.iiiv The Bishop shall surcease, from orderyng that persone.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xlvii. 95 Vnder that pretense to surcease from prayers as bootles or fruitles offices.
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 165 Silke-wormes..Who do surcesse from labour now and then.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 258 The great Arch-Angel from his warlike toile Surceas'd . View more context for this quotation
1812 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Purgatorio xxv. 131 Nor from the task..Surcease they.
1856 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 13 July in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. v. 80 I..thereupon surceased from my labors.
b. without construction (spec. to discontinue legal proceedings).
ΚΠ
?1456 H. Windsor in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 145 I shalbe his seruaunt and youres vnto such tyme as ye woll commaunde me to sursese and leve of.
1479 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 615 My lord of Ely desyred myn oncle as well as you to surcease.
c1544 T. Cranmer Let. 18 Apr. in Remains (1833) I. 314 For the better expedition of the matter, I have sent to the Dean of the Arches, commanding him to surcease therein.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. C1 Wishing vnto you and yours, as much happinesse, as myselfe am clogged with carefulnesse, I surcease.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ii. sig. B5v In stead of praying them surcease, They did much more their cruelty encrease. View more context for this quotation
1637–50 J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (Wodrow Soc.) 440 I might relate many others,..but I surceasse.
a1652 R. Brome Weeding of Covent-Garden iv. i. 57 in Five New Playes (1659) Hector..held up his brazen lance. In signal, that both Armies should surcease.
1671 F. Philipps Regale Necessarium 114 To stay and Surcease and no further prosecute or proceed against the Complainant.
1859 R. C. Singleton tr. Virgil Aeneid x, in tr. Virgil Wks. II. 410 Surcease. I now am coming, doomed to die.
c. const. infinitive.
ΚΠ
1535 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) I. 420 His graces pleasure is that ye shall surcease any farther to yntermedle with the..landes belongyng to the Busshopriche of Hereford.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 231v Onlesse thei would surceasse so to abuse hym.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 193 I will surcesse to talk any further of this matter.
1615 R. Brathwait Loves Labyrinth 16 in Strappado Beasts to their caues resort, surcease to prey.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 404 She surceas'd not day nor night To storm me over-watch't, and wearied out. View more context for this quotation
1708 J. Philips Cyder i. 364 Prevent the Morning Star Assiduous, nor with the Western Sun Surcease to work.
1832 J. Struthers Poor Man's Sabbath (ed. 7) ix. 25 Till yonder orbs surcease t' admeasure nights and days.
1863 W. K. Kelly Curiosities Indo-European Trad. i. 7 They could never surcease to feel the liveliest interest in those wonderful meteoric changes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]
to let bec1000
fastOE
withdraw1297
letc1374
forbearc1375
abstaina1382
sparec1386
respitea1393
to let alonea1400
refraina1402
supersede1449
deport1477
to hold one's handa1500
spare1508
surcease1542
detract1548
to hold back1576
hold1589
to stand by1590
to hold up1596
suspend1598
stickle1684
to hold off1861
to bottle it1988
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes Pref. & so forth of the other writers whiche I surcease by name to speake of.
1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. xiii. [xvii.] i. 291 I might take occasion to tell of the..voiages made into strange countries by Englishmen..but..I surcease to speake of them.
1610 J. Healey tr. J. L. Vives in tr. St. Augustine Citie of God vii. i. 259 Tertullian..wrot much: which being recorded I surcease to recount.
2. To come to an end, be discontinued; to cease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of things, actions, or processes
restOE
leathc1275
stintc1275
slakea1300
ceasec1374
slocka1400
batec1400
lissec1400
stanchc1420
surcease1439
remain1480
stopa1529
break1530
decease1538
falla1555
to shut up1609
subside1654
drop1697
low1790
to go out1850
the world > existence and causation > existence > non-existence > be non-existent [verb (intransitive)] > end or cease to exist
tirec725
endOE
forfareOE
goc1175
fleec1200
to wend awayc1225
diea1240
to-melta1240
to pass awaya1325
flit1340
perishc1350
vanisha1375
decorre1377
cease1382
dispend1393
failc1400
overshakec1425
surcease1439
adrawc1450
fall1523
decease1538
define1562
fleet1576
expire1595
evanish1597
extinguish1599
extirp1606
disappear1623
evaporatea1631
trans-shift1648
annihilate1656
exolve1657
cancela1667
to pass off1699
to burn out, forth1832
spark1845
to die out1853
to come, go, etc. by the board1859
sputter1964
1439 in Antiq. Repertory (1780) III. 274 That all manere of processe..in the mesne tyme surcese.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxxi. f. lxxxxviiiv He seased that kyngdom and Ioyned it to his owne of West Saxons by whiche reason. The kyngdome of Mercia Surseased.
1533–4 Act 25 Hen. VIII c. 21 §2 All suche pensiones censes porcions and peter~pense,..shall frome hense forthe clerely surcesse and never more be levyed.
1576 H. Gilbert Disc. Discov. New Passage Cataia ii. sig. Civ It may..be thought, that this course of the sea, doth sometime surcease..because it is not discerned all along the coast of America.
a1633 T. Taylor God's Judgem. (1642) i. i. xv. 48 That the cause being taken away, the effect also might surcease.
1675 E. Wilson Spadacrene Dunelmensis 15 These [sc. Rain or Snow] surceasing the Springs also become dry.
c1750 W. Shenstone Ruin'd Abbey 238 Nor yet surceas'd with John's disastrous fate Pontific fury!
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. United Netherlands I. vi. 322 Intrigues and practices..would of necessity surcease.
1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems 146 When I surcease, Through whom alone lives she, Ceases my Love.
3. † b. To give up, resign (a position or office).[Cf. quot. c1435 at sense 4a s.v. surceasing n. 1 ]
a. transitive. To desist from, discontinue; to give up, abandon (a course of action, etc.); also, to refrain from. (Cf. supersede v. 2.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]
aswikec975
linOE
beleavec1175
forletc1175
i-swikec1175
restc1175
stutte?c1225
lina1300
blinc1314
to give overc1325
to do wayc1350
stintc1366
finisha1375
leavea1375
yleavec1380
to leave offa1382
refuse1389
ceasec1410
resigna1413
respite?a1439
relinquish1454
surcease1464
discontinue1474
unfill1486
supersede1499
desist1509
to have ado?1515
stop1525
to lay aside1530
stay1538
quata1614
to lay away1628
sist1635
quita1642
to throw up1645
to lay by1709
to come off1715
unbuckle1736
peter1753
to knock off1767
stash1794
estop1796
stow1806
cheese1811
to chuck itc1879
douse1887
nark1889
to stop off1891
stay1894
sling1902
can1906
to lay off1908
to pack in1934
to pack up1934
to turn in1938
to break down1941
to tie a can to (or on)1942
to jack in1948
to wrap it up1949
1464–9 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 25 To cause the said Thomas & Richard to surcease & leave theire said threatnings.
1493 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 105 I caused them to surcease ther purposse unto the tyme I had wrytten to you, & known your mynd.
1544 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Court of Requests (1898) 97 Olyuer shall withdrawe & surseace all maner his suettes and accions.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 814/2 That it might please him to surcease his cruell kind of warre, in burning of townes and villages.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. iv. sig. Ff4 The waues..Their rage surceast.
1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster Famous Hist. Thomas Wyat sig. Cv Surcease your armes, discharge your Souldiers.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy Democritus to Rdr. 49 Prosecute his cause, he is consumed, if he surcease his suite he looseth all.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life Henry VIII (1649) 40 It was resolved to surcease the Warre for this yeare, Winter now beginning to enter.
a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 140 For my part I surcease all farther enquiry.
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad VI. xxiii. 970 Greece..Bade share the Honours, and surcease the Strife.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature (1834) II. 514 Did he surcease the common civilities..would he have better leisure to perform more important services?
1820 W. Scott Abbot I. xiv. 309 The hobby-horse surceased his capering.
1897 F. Thompson New Poems 219 [She] had surceased her tyranny.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate (office) [verb (transitive)]
to leave up1422
depone1533
surcease1552
dimit1563
demit1567
abdicate1570
to lay downa1715
vacate1850
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > resign (an office or position)
resigna1387
to leave up1422
depone1533
surcease1552
dimit1563
demit1567
to lay downa1715
ankle1936
1552 Lit. Rem. Edw. VI (Roxb.) II. 432 The chauncellour of th' augmentation was willed to surcease his commission, geven him the third yeare of our raigne.
a. To put a stop to, bring to an end, cause to cease; to stay (legal proceedings.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to
astintc700
stathea1200
atstuntc1220
to put an end toa1300
to set end ofa1300
batec1300
stanch1338
stinta1350
to put awayc1350
arrestc1374
finisha1375
terminec1390
achievea1393
cease1393
removec1405
terminate?a1425
stop1426
surceasec1435
resta1450
discontinue1474
adetermine1483
blina1500
stay1525
abrogatea1529
suppressa1538
to set in or at stay1538
to make stay of1572
depart1579
check1581
intercept1581
to give a stop toa1586
dirempt1587
date1589
period1595
astayc1600
nip1600
to break off1607
snape1631
sist1635
to make (a) stop of1638
supersede1643
assopiatea1649
periodizea1657
unbusya1657
to put a stop to1679
to give the holla to1681
to run down1697
cessate1701
end1737
to choke off1818
stopper1821
punctuate1825
to put a stopper on1828
to take off ——1845
still1850
to put the lid on1873
on the fritz1900
to close down1903
to put the fritz on something1910
to put the bee on1918
switch1921
to blow the whistle on1934
c1435 in C. L. Kingsford Chron. London (1905) 48 For as much as the Kyng was changid all plees in euery place weren surcesed.
1490 Act 4 Hen. VII c. 20 No relesse..be..available or effectuell to lette or to surceace the seid accion.
1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia i. 220 If gentle Peace Discend not soone, our sorrowes to surcease, Latium..will be destroyd.
1595 E. Spenser Amoretti xi, in Amoretti & Epithalamion sig. A7 All paine hath end,..But mine no price nor prayer may surcease.
1692 tr. Sallust Wks. 72 'Tis death not torment that surceases all our Miseries.
1695 W. Temple Introd. Hist. Eng. (1699) 174 The abrogating or surceasing the Judiciary Power, exercised by the Bishops.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to desist
ceasec1320
stint1338
stop1393
apausea1555
to knock off1651
surcease1791
to draw up1861
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. xv. 311 Ajax me..hath with a stone Surceas'd from fight, smiting me on the breast.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]
forslowc888
eldc897
forsita940
gele971
lengOE
drilla1300
delayc1300
onfrestc1300
tarryc1320
jornc1330
dretchc1380
defer1382
forbida1387
to put offa1387
to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393
dilate1399
fordrawa1400
to put overc1410
latch?c1422
adjournc1425
prolongc1425
proloynec1425
rejournc1425
to put in respite1428
sleuthc1430
respitea1450
prorogue1453
refer1466
sleep1470
supersede1482
respectc1487
postpone1496
overseta1500
respett1500
enjourna1513
relong1523
retract1524
tarde1524
track1524
to fode forth1525
tract1527
protract1528
further1529
to make stay of1530
surcease1530
prorogate1534
to fay upon longc1540
linger1543
retard?1543
slake1544
procrastine1548
reprieve1548
remit1550
suspense1556
leave1559
shiftc1562
suspend1566
procrastinate1569
dally1574
post1577
to hold off1580
drift1584
loiter1589
postpose1598
to take one's (own) timea1602
flag1602
slug1605
elong1610
belay1613
demur1613
tardya1616
to hang up1623
frist1637
disjourn1642
future1642
off1642
waive1653
superannuate1655
perendinate1656
stave1664
detard1675
remora1686
to put back1718
withhold1726
protract1737
to keep over1847
to hold over1853
laten1860
to lay over1885
hold1891
back-burner1975
1530 St. German's Secunde Dyaloge Doctour & Student xxxvi. f. lxxxxiiii When the ordynarye hathe surcessyd hys tyme he hathe loste hys power.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccclxxxix They..wil..maruel at this long delay and surceasing.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xl. 332 I defer, protract,..surcease,..and shift off, the Time of giving a Definitive Sentence.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1918; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.1590v.1428