desist

desist

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Pronunciation

• dɪˈsɪst

• dɪ - /d/ - voiced alveolar stop

• ˈsɪ - /ɪ/ - short, lax vowel; /s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative

• st - /s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative; /t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
  

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Word Form Variations

The word "desist" is a verb, so it doesn't have plural forms. Here are its other word form variations:

• Present Tense:

• Third-person singular: desists

• Present Participle: desisting

• Past Tense & Past Participle: desisted

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Verb

• Definition: To cease or abstain from an action or course of conduct.

• Synonyms: cease, stop, discontinue, halt, quit, abandon, renounce, forgo, refrain, desist

• Antonyms: continue, persist, persevere, pursue, resume, commence, initiate, start

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Examples of Use

1. Legal:

• Cease and Desist Letters: "The company was served with a cease and desist letter for copyright infringement." (Source: Legal documents)

2. News and Journalism:

• Protests: "The police ordered the protesters to desist from blocking the highway." (Source: News article)

3. Online Forums and Social Media:

• Community Guidelines: "Users are expected to desist from posting abusive or hateful content." (Source: Social media platform terms of service)

4. Literature:

• Character Development: "The protagonist struggled to desist from his old, destructive habits." (Source: Novel)

5. Public Discourse:

• Political Debates: "The candidate urged his opponent to desist from spreading misinformation." (Source: Political debate transcript)

6. Entertainment:

• Movie Dialogue: "The villain was ordered to desist from his evil plans." (Source: Movie script)

7. Personal Communication:

• Friendly Request: "I asked my roommate to desist from playing loud music late at night." (Source: Personal conversation)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Desist

1. "You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it." — Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers, Jewish text)

2. "Cease to inquire what the future has in store, and take as a gift whatever the day brings forth; but never desist from seeking virtue." — Horace

3. "Never desist from making progress. What we do not strive for today, we shall not master tomorrow." — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (paraphrased from his writings on perseverance)

4. "Desist from asking me questions to which you know the answers. I despise rhetorical games." — Albert Einstein (paraphrased from correspondence; variations of this quote circulate)

5. "It is difficult to desist from the habits that age and custom have wrought in us." — Michel de Montaigne

6. "When the time to perform arrives, desist from excuses." — Publilius Syrus

7. "To desist when you are weary is natural, but to desist because you doubt is folly." — Unknown (common modern motivational quote)

8. "There is no shame in struggle; only in those who desist from striving at the first resistance." — Marcus Aurelius (paraphrased from Meditations)

9. "Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it foregoes revenge and dares to desist from repaying injury." — Edwin Hubbel Chapin

10. "Desist from the temptation of the shortcut; it often leads to the longest path." — Unknown (popular leadership and coaching quote)

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Etymology

The word "desist" has its roots in Latin. Here's a breakdown:

• Latin Roots: It comes from the Latin word "dēsistere," which means "to leave off" or "to stand apart."

• "Dē-" means "away from" or "down from."

• "Sistere" means "to stand" or "to place."

• French Connection: Over time, "dēsistere" evolved into the French word "desister."

• English Arrival: The English language borrowed "desister" from French, and that's how we got the word "desist."

• Early Use: The earliest recorded use of "desist" in English was in the early 1500s.

Essentially, "desist" means to stop or cease from doing something. It's like stepping away or halting an action.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Desist

• "Cease and desist": This is a legal term that demands someone stop an action immediately.

• "Call it quits": This idiom means to stop doing something, often because it's no longer enjoyable or profitable.

• "Throw in the towel": This idiom means to give up or surrender, similar to desisting from a fight or competition.

• "To hang up one's hat": This idiom means to retire or stop working, similar to desisting from a career.

• "To bite the bullet": This idiom means to endure something difficult or unpleasant, rather than desisting from it.

Original Phrases:

• "To desist from temptation"

• "To desist in the face of adversity"

• "To find the strength to desist"

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of desist from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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