A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Surceas(e, v. Also: surceasse, surrcease. P.p. surceast. [Late ME and e.m.E. surcesed p.p. (1428), sursese (1429), sursease (1433), OF sursis, fem. sursise (13th c. and 12th c. in Larousse), p.p. of surseoir to postpone (a legal action), with assimilation to the spelling of Ces(e v.1]
1. intr. To stop, leave off, desist (from some activity).c1590 Fowler I 17.
I am forced to shorten this preface, surceasing whill better tyme and oportunitie afford the occasioun to pen sum day your praises c1590 Fowler I 303.
I surcease with humble prayer for both our protections 1607 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 70.
Thy ceptur dois mentein the Gospellis fridomes The trewthe come in continewis standis with thé If it surceas, the stait transchengit sall be 1614 Highland P. III 160.
Whither I suld proceide or surcease … it may that some propone as a grounde of a swite at courte a1650 Row 440.
I might relate many others, … but I surceasse
2. To cease, come to an end.1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 38.
So soon, … the King as he did learne That heirs male of this David were surceast
3. tr. To cause to cease, bring to an end.1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 72.
And ȝit hir companying with hir adulterer scho surceasis not 1615 Highland P. III 231.
He had great experience of his Majesties clemencie … who, after his conviction … did surcease all rigour and give … hope … for marcie c1625 Misc. Spald. C. II lvi.
These ar the names of the most scandalous and irregular onlie of the adversars of the treuth surceasing to sett doun the great number of otheris … that hes maid the lyk defectioun from the treuth 1637 Baillie I 41.
That the bishops and others might surcease the urgeing or practise of the book
4. To put off, postpone; to cancel.1676 Dunkeld Presb. II 18 n.
Therfor, it was thought expedient to surrcease the exercise that day
