Desist \De*sist"\ (?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desisted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Desisting}.] [L. desistere; de- + sistere to stand, stop, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. d['e]sister. See {Stand}.] To cease to proceed or act; to stop; to forbear; -- often with from. Never desisting to do evil. --E. Hall. To desist from his bad practice. --Massinger. Desist (thou art discern'd, And toil'st in vain). --Milton.