Desist (?; 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. désister. See Stand.] To cease to proceed or act; to stop; to forbear; -- often with from.
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Never desisting to do evil. E. Hall.
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To desist from his bad practice. Massinger.
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Desist (thou art discern'd,
And toil'st in vain). Milton.
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