vbl. sb. [f. CEASE v. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the verb CEASE, in its various senses; cessation. Without ceasing: incessantly.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter cxliv. [cxlv.] 2. Ilk day wiþouten cessynge … i sall loue þe.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xxxvi. 126. Thenne gaffe the kynge seassyng to hys wordes.
1592. Greene, Art Conny-catch., III. 19. The time of ceissing betweene the seuerall toyes and fancies hee plaied.
1611. Bible, 1 Thess. v. 17. Pray without ceasing.
1745. Warburton, Remarks Occas. Refl., II. Wks. 1788, VI. 496 (R.). Spencer … did not mean by Abrogation a ceasing, but an Alteration and Abatement.
1862. Trench, Poems, Justin Mart., 11. The ceasing of this painful breath.
2. Comb. † ceasing-day, day of rest, sabbath.
1382. Wyclif, Lev. xxiii. 4. Thes ben the holy cesyng daies of the Lord.
