cease
Translation
to stop, to end, to discontinue
Examples
The rain will cease soon.
The rain will stop soon.
They ceased trading last month.
They stopped trading last month.
Cease fire immediately!
Stop firing immediately!
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to stop (sth.) The factory ceased production.
((to-inf)) to stop doing (sth.) He ceased to be a member.
((-ing)) to stop doing (sth.) She ceased working at noon.
Similar Words
Synonyms: stop, end, halt, discontinue; Antonyms: start, begin, continue
Etymology
From Old French 'cesser', from Latin 'cessare' meaning 'to delay, stop'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ceasefire' in a war movie – it means to stop fighting.