surcease

American  

[sur-sees] / sɜrˈsis /

verb (used without object)

surceased, surceasing

1. to cease from some action; desist.

2. to come to an end.

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verb (used with object)

surceased, surceasing

1. Archaic. to cease from; leave off.

noun

1. cessation; end.

surcease British  

/ sɜːˈsiːs /

noun

1. cessation or intermission

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verb

1. to desist from (some action)

2. to cease or cause to cease

Etymology

Origin of surcease

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

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2023

I'll hope for just a few years to spend not wishing every day were over just a weekend, and a momentary surcease.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2018

As report after report indicates, he attacks, lashes out, mocks, tweets, pummels, charges and complains, showering calumny on others even as he praises his achievements without surcease.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2017

But for the bombardment group, there is no surcease.

From Time Magazine Archive

“I’ve gained pounds lying continuously in bed, seeking surcease and sublimation in food. Now we must run. I must leave this house. It has terrible associations.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole