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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

de·sist

Audio Help [di-zist, -sist] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used without object)

to cease, as from some action or proceeding; stop.

[Origin: 1425–75; late ME < OF desister < L désistere to leave off, equiv. to dé- de- + sistere to stand, place, akin to stāre to stand

]

—Related forms

de·sist·ance, de·sist·ence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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desist

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

de·sist Audio Help (dĭ-sĭst', -zĭst') Pronunciation Key
intr.v. de·sist·ed, de·sist·ing, de·sists
To cease doing something; forbear. See Synonyms at stop.

[Middle English desisten, from Old French desister, from Latin dēsistere : dē-, de- + sistere, to bring to a standstill; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
desist

1459, from M.Fr. desister (1358), from L. desistere, from de- "off" + sistere "stop, come to a stand" (see assist).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

desist
verb
choose not to consume; "I abstain from alcohol" [syn: abstain] [ant: consume]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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