Definitions

1. verb

to stop doing something that you are doing, especially because it is causing problems or because you are being forced to stop

“The protesters were ordered to desist, but they refused to back down.”

2. verb

to stop doing something that you are doing, especially because you are being asked to do so

“The lawyer advised his client to desist from making any further statements to the press.”

3. noun

a command to stop doing something

“The court issued a desist to the company, ordering it to stop producing the defective product.”

4. verb

to stop doing something that you are doing, especially in a court of law

“The judge told the defendant to desist from making any further arguments.”