noun / verb
surcease
sur-SEES/sˌɝsˈis/
An end to something, or to bring something to an end.
The fountain's surcease leaves still water beneath its silent spout.
Etymology
The Latin expression literally meaning “sit above” also meant “refrain or desist.” That latter meaning underlies surcease as a noun naming a cessation or stop.
In context
but Brittany was torn asunder by constant civil war apart from the grapple of the two great combatants, so that there was no surcease of her sufferings.
More examples
- The steady rain continues without surcease.
- At sunset, the workers surcease their labors.
- He longs for surcease from his constant worries.
Forms
surcease · surceases · surceased · surceasing