desistance

English

Etymology

desist +‎ -ance

Noun

desistance (countable and uncountable, plural desistances)

1. (rare) The act or state of desisting; cessation.
   • 1622-1624, Great Britain Public Record Office, Calendar of State Papers, Preserved in the State Paper Department of Her Majesty's Record Office‎^[1], H.M.S.O., Vaduz : Knaus Reprint, page 203:

     If the writings now sent be seriously perused concerning the common defence, besieging of Bantam, their desistance from the trade of Moluccas, Amboyna, and Banda, their complaints against Declell, and answers to the writings of the Dutch, are confident that the advantage will not appear so great.

   • 1822, Paul Brown, An Enquiry Concerning the Nature, End and Practicability of a Course of Philosophical Education‎^[2], J. Gideon Jr., page 131:

     This entire decisive desistance from the accustomed resort, has the effect in a few days, to weaken the appetite.

   • 1835, Emmanuel Augustin Dieudonné, Comte de Las Cases, The Life, Exile, and Conversations of the Emperor Napoleon‎^[3], H. Colburn, R. Bentley, page 91:

     In 1767, the crown for the first time set forward claims on the territory and revenues of India; but the Company purchased its desistance by a subsidy equivalent to ten or twelve millions of francs.

   • 1890, Henry James, The Tragic Muse:

     [O]n one side she was defended by the wall of the room and on the other rendered inaccessible by Miriam's mother, who clung to her with a quickly-rooted fidelity, showing no symptom of desistance.