surcease

Definition

Cessation; stop, stopping; end. Respite, intermission.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman surseser, from Old French sursis, past participle of surseoir, from Latin supersedēre. Spelling later influenced by association with unrelated cease, which likely also influenced the meaning. Related to supersede.

Example Sentences

• "And first of all, it is more then time, there were an ende and surcease made of this immodest and deformed manner of writting latelie entertained, whereby matter of religion is handled in the stile of the stage."
• "It it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well / It were done quickly: if the assassination / Could trammel up the consequence, and catch / With his surcease success;"
• "[…] vainly I had sought to borrow / From my books surcease of sorrow"