1. The action of leaving off or desisting from some proceeding.
† In quot. c. 1435, ceasing to occupy a position, resignation.
c. 1435. in Kingsford, Chron. Lond. (1905), 20. A copye to be delyuered to hym off his Resignyng and Surcesyng.
1473. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 65/2. So that … there be a perpetuall sursesyng for and of any ferther execution of any such Sentence.
1579. Northbrooke, Dicing (1843), 38. Sleep is a surceasing of all the sences from trauel.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard. (1618), 357. That between the Pope and Alphonso d’Este, there should be a surceassing of armes at the least for sixe moneths.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., I. xiv. § 3. His surceasing to speake to the world since the publishing of the Gospell.
1600. Surflet, Country Farm, VII. lxvi. 897. The birde … growing melancholike, as by surceasing and abstaining to sing.
1818. Colebrooke, Obligations, 40. Forbearance of a suit for a specific … time, or surceasing of a suit.
† 2. The action of putting a stop to something.
1553. Brende, Q. Curtius, x. 223. It was agreed … that Embassadours shuld be sent … for the surcessing of all strife.
1572. Spenser, Let. Harvey, Poet. Wks. (1912), 635/2. They haue proclaimed … a generall surceasing and silence of balde Rymers.
† 3. The action of putting off or deferring. Obs.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 389. They … wil … maruel at this long delay and surceasing.
So Surceasing ppl. a. (in quot., gradually ceasing, abating, diminishing).
1881. R. Buchanan, God & the Man, II. 250. The seas came along with slowly surceasing force.
