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Surcease: meaning, definitions and examples

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surcease

 

[ sɜːrˈsiːs ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

to cease

To surcease means to cease or stop an action or condition. It often implies a termination of activity, especially in a gradual or gentle manner. It is not commonly used in modern English but has historical and poetic significance.

Synonyms

cease, halt, stop

Examples of usage

  • He wished to surcease his endless worries.
  • The rain began to surcease as the sun broke through the clouds.
  • They hoped the arguments would surcease with time.
Context #2 | Noun

cessation

Surcease can also denote the act of stopping or the cessation of something. It is a rarely used term that conveys the end of a process or activity.

Synonyms

cessation, stoppage, termination

Examples of usage

  • The surcease of the project marked a turning point for the team.
  • The unexpected surcease of operations surprised everyone.
  • With the surcease of hostilities, peace was finally restored.

Translations

Translations of the word "surcease" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cessar

🇮🇳 रोकना

🇩🇪 aufhören

🇮🇩 berhenti

🇺🇦 зупинити

🇵🇱 zaprzestać

🇯🇵 停止する

🇫🇷 cesser

🇪🇸 cesar

🇹🇷 durdurmak

🇰🇷 중단하다

🇸🇦 توقف

🇨🇿 přestat

🇸🇰 zastaviť

🇨🇳 停止

🇸🇮 prenehati

🇮🇸 hætta

🇰🇿 тоқтату

🇬🇪 შეჩერება

🇦🇿 dayandırmaq

🇲🇽 cesar

Etymology

The word 'surcease' has Old English roots, originating from the term 'surceas', which means 'to cease' or 'to stop'. It has been used since the late Middle Ages and is a compound of the prefix 'sur-' (from Latin 'super-', meaning 'over or above') combined with 'cease', derived from the Latin 'cessare', meaning 'to stop or desist'. 'Surcease' was often employed in a poetic context during the 16th and 17th centuries, frequently appearing in literature to convey a sense of finality or peace in the context of death or the end of a situation. Although its usage has declined in contemporary language, it still appears occasionally in formal or literary settings, emphasizing endings and resolutions.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,405 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.