Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Desist, v. Also: desiste, -syst, -seist; discist, dissist. [e.m.E. desist (1509), desyst, OF. desister, L. dēsistere. Cf. Decist v.]

1. intr. To refrain fra or from continuing some action, etc. Also with of, or without const. Freq. coupled with cese.(1) 1456 Hay II. 33/31.
Iustice rigorous … quhilk suld on force compell evill men … to desist and ces fra thair wikkitnesse 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 275/1.
To charge thaim to desist and ces fra the intrometting thairwith in tyme tocum 1513 Ib. 379/2.
With inhibetion to the schirefts … to desist and ceis of all poinding of thaim for the said malez 1539 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 92.
All maner of regratoures … to desist and ceis fra ony maner of forestalling 1554 Ib. 191.
To desist … fra vsing of the said office … quhill he be lauchfullie eleckit and chessing thairto 1561 Kennedy Oratioun 4.
Quharfra … for bud nor boist … I intend nocht to desist 1562-3 Winȝet I. 33/27.
Desiste, I pray ȝow, … fra ȝour furious rage and wylful blyndnes a1578 Pitsc. I. 86/17.
That all nychtwalkaris … and dronkartis be admoneist to desist and cease fra sic vicis 1584 Misc. Bann. C. I. 112.
He was … admonissit … to desist from that office of a bischop(b) 1570 Leslie 87.
The commissioners … requirit the King of Ingland to … discist fra the persute of the saidis princis 1582 Declar. Causis 14.
To dissist from preiching(2) c1475 Wall. vi. 290.
Till him scho went, on kneis syne can him as, He wald desist, and nocht in Scotland gang 1513 Doug. ix. vi. 110.
Desist [Sm. desyst], quod he, this mater mon be left Ib. x. viii. 6.
Now is tyme to desist, and lat pas All sic bargane a1578 Pitsc. I. 101 (heading).
The Erle of Douglas [is] counsallit be his freindis to deseist a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxx. 176.
Desist and ceis thi self for to torment a1585 Polwart Flyt. 560 (T).
Desist, delay his death, quhile I discryve him

2. To stay away, remain absent. Const. fra. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 299/14.
Thai send apparatouris to thar housis to … inquire gif thai desist fra public convencioun be sett purpois