cease

To stop doing something. This phrase is typically associated with legal matters. We received a letter ordering us to cease and desist due to copyright infringement, so we had to halt production. Have you talked to your lawyer about that order to cease and desist yet? Their product is practically identical to ours, so we certainly have grounds to get them to cease and desist.

Stop shooting. Used as a command, especially for military troops. There are civilians present—cease fire! Cease fire! They've thrown up the white flag! Cease fire, men, and that's an order! Weapons down!

To die, expire, or no longer exist. (Used without a qualifying verb, noun, or adjective; otherwise, the cessation merely refers to said verb, noun, or adjective—e.g., "cease to be entertained.") After the recession, many of the small businesses populating the mall simply ceased to be. Without her love, I feel that I would cease to be! With the advent of iPods and MP3s, it's like the CD ceased to be.

This was not at all expected; how shocking. Said especially of that which is pleasantly surprising, though the phrase is often used humorously, ironically, or sarcastically. The famously defiant and aggressive leader today announced that he wanted to form a close alliance and kinship with his neighbors to the south. Will wonders never cease? Jake actually volunteered to do the dishes after dinner? Will wonders never cease?

Continuously and perpetually, without stopping. No one remembers that star-studded team because, while they posted division championships without cease, they could never win the big one. We've walked for hours and hours without cease. When will there be some sign of civilization?

This was not at all expected; how shocking. Said especially of that which is pleasantly surprising, though the phrase is often used humorously, ironically, or sarcastically. The famously defiant and aggressive leader today announced that he wanted to form a close alliance and kinship with his neighbors to the south. Wonders never cease, it seems. Jake actually volunteered to do the dishes after dinner? Wonders will never cease!

to completely stop doing something. (A legal phrase.) The judge ordered the merchant to cease and desist the deceptive practices. When they were ordered to cease and desist, they finally stopped.

Prov. What an amazing thing has happened! (Said when something very surprising happens. Somewhat ironic; can imply that the surprising thing should have happened before, but did not.) Fred: Hi, honey. I cleaned the kitchen for you. Ellen: Wonders never cease! Jill: Did you hear? The company is allowing us to take a holiday tomorrow. Jane: Wonders never cease! Not only was my plane on time, the airline also delivered my luggage safely. Will wonders never cease?

Stop, leave off doing something, as in: "Bliss excavated at least once on his own and Dr. Brand ... told him to cease and desist" (Douglas Preston quoting Frank Hibben, The New Yorker, June 12, 1995). This legal term is a redundancy, since cease and desist mean virtually the same thing, but often appears in legal documents to avoid possible misinterpretation. [c. 1920]

What a surprise, as in He's on time-wonders will never cease. This expression is generally used ironically. [Late 1700s]

That is really surprising. This expression, today usually put ironically and nearly always a response to a statement about something the speaker thinks is unusual, dates from the late eighteenth century. Anthony Price used it in Other Paths to Glory (1974): “Wonders will never cease . . . Early Tudor, practically untouched.” This saying has become so familiar that Ed McBain could abbreviate it: “Would wonders never?” (Hark! 2004).