Obs. exc. Hist. Also 5–8 SESS, 6 cease, ceasse. [Etymologically spelt SESS, aphetic f. ASSESS; see CESS sb.1]
1. trans. To determine the amount of (a tax, fine or contribution; also of rent, and the prices at which articles are to be sold); = ASSESS v. 1.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccclxxxvii. 663. As soone as the kyng was departed fro Paris, the commons rose in harnesse, and slewe all those that had ceassed the aydes.
1531–2. Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 4 § 5. The same rates and prices to be named and cessed by them and euery of them by their discrecions.
c. 1590. in Secr. Mem. Earl Leicester (1706), 74. Compelling the tenant to pay him new rent & what he cesseth.
c. 1613. Social Condit. People Anglesey (1860), 21. In some parts of the countrey, this mite was never cessed; in other parts it was cessed, but never leavied.
1764. R. Burn, Hist. Poor Laws, 73. To sess, tax, and limit upon every such obstinate person, what sum the said person shall pay weekly.
2. To impose (taxation, a fine, etc.) upon (a person or community); = ASSESS v. 2.
1495. Act 11 Hen. VII., iv. Suche fynes and amerciamentis as upon them shalbe cessid.
1612. in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 171. Diverse fynes and Amerciaments cessed upon him in Mr. Maior’s Court.
3. Ireland. To impose (soldiers) upon a community who are to support them at a fixed rate.
1612. Davies, Why Ireland, &c. (1787), 142. There was no means to maintain the army but by cessing the soldiers upon the subject, as the Irish were wont to impose their bonaught.
1880. Burton, Reign Q. Anne, III. xvii. 177–8. None … shall cosher, or lodge, or cess themselves … upon the inhabitants.
4. To subject (a person, community or property) to a contribution, tax or fine; to rate, to tax; = ASSESS v. 3. Also (Ireland) To subject to military exactions or requisitions; cf. CESS sb.1 2.
1494. Fabyan, VII. 344. He prysonyd theym, and after sessyd theym at greuouse fynys.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ci. xl. M. scutes. Ibid., I. ccclxxxvii. 664. With their owne good wylles they ceased theymselfe to paye wekely a tenne thousande florence.
1609. B. Jonson, Sil. Wom., IV. ii. A man of two thousand a-year is not cess’d at so many weapons as he has on.
1652. T. May, Old Couple, in Dodsley (1780), X. 504. I shall be … sess’d More to the poor.
1738. Hist. View Crt. Excheq., ii. 21. If he did not come at all, then he was cessed for all the Lands he held.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., II. vii. (L.). The English garrisons cessed and pillaged the farmers of Meath and Dublin.
5. To estimate officially the taxable value of (property, land, etc.); to rate; = ASSESS v. 4.
1598. Stow, Surv., xv. (1603), 130. To the fifteene it is cessed at foure pound ten shillings.
