surcease

[ sur-sees ]

verb (used without object)

, sur·ceased, sur·ceas·ing.

1. to cease from some action; desist.
2. to come to an end.

verb (used with object)

, sur·ceased, sur·ceas·ing.

1. Archaic. to cease from; leave off.

noun

1. cessation; end.

surcease

/ sɜːˈsiːs /

noun

1. cessation or intermission

verb

1. to desist from (some action)
2. to cease or cause to cease

Word History and Origins

Origin of surcease¹

1400–50; sur- ¹ + cease; replacing late Middle English sursesen (v.) < Middle French sursis (past participle of surseoir ) < Latin supersessus (past participle of supersedēre to forbear; supersede ), equivalent to super- super- + sed ( ēre ) sit ¹ + -tus past participle suffix, with dt > ss

Word History and Origins

Origin of surcease¹

C16: from earlier sursesen, from Old French surseoir, from Latin supersedēre; see supersede

Example Sentences

So if there is surcease from sorrow, and my name is attached to it, thank God.”

From New York Times

Turtles on top of turtles on top of more turtles without surcease.

From New York Times

"Acting is giving a blessing and getting a blessing. You can feel it all over, and when you make people laugh, you do what Shakespeare says: You give surcease from sorrow," he said.

From Fox News

All readers will admire her unadorned but wise summation that answered prayers are “a surcease of worry.”

From Seattle Times

Let him languish in pain, crying aloud for mercy, and let there be no surcease to this agony till he sing in dissolution.

From Literature