The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cease \Cease\ (s[=e]s), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ceased (s[=e]st);
   p. pr. & vb. n. Ceasing.] [OE. cessen, cesen, F. cesser,
   fr. L. cessare, v. intensive fr. cedere to withdraw. See
   Cede, and cf. Cessation.]
   1. To come to an end; to stop; to leave off or give over; to
      desist; as, the noise ceased. "To cease from strife."
      --Prov. xx. 3.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To be wanting; to fail; to pass away.
      [1913 Webster]

            The poor shall never cease out of the land. --Deut.
                                                  xv. 11.

   Syn: To intermit; desist; stop; abstain; quit; discontinue;
        refrain; leave off; pause; end.
        [1913 Webster]