I. A tarrying, delaying: “non datur cessatio,” Plaut. Poen. 4, 2, 103.—Hence,
II. Inactivity, idling, cessation, omission, idleness: “furtum cessationis quaerere,” Q. Cic. Fam. 16, 26, 2: “cessatio libera atque otiosa,” Cic. Leg. 1, 3, 10 Orell. N. cr.: “pugnae,” Gell. 1, 25, 8: “Epicurus nihil cessatione melius existimat... deum sic feriatum volumus cessatione torpere, etc.,” Cic. N. D. 1, 36, 102; 1, 37, 102.— “So in jurid. lang.,” a punishable delay, Dig. 37, 2, 6.—And of ground, a lying fallow, Col. 2, 1, 3.