1 He would not despair: he would not desist.
2 Notwithstanding the evidently useless nature of their search, they did not desist until the coming on of night rendered its further prosecution hopeless; and even then, they gave it up with reluctance.
3 Instantly the captain ran forward, and in a loud voice commanded his crew to desist from hoisting the cutting-tackles, and at once cast loose the cables and chains confining the whales to the ship.
Moby Dick By Herman MelvilleContext Highlight In CHAPTER 91. The Pequod Meets The Rose-Bud. 4 He had made two attempts to shave but his hand had been so unsteady that he had been obliged to desist.
5 "Lise, I beg you to desist," said Prince Andrew still more emphatically.
6 Fearing in his heart lest this might prove but too true, the captain a little desisted, but still commanded the insurgents instantly to return to their duty.
Moby Dick By Herman MelvilleContext Highlight In CHAPTER 54. The Town-Ho's Story. 7 But as he did so, the oarsmen expectantly desisted from rowing; the boat drifted a little towards the ship's stern; so that, as if by magic, the letter suddenly ranged along with Gabriel's eager hand.
Moby Dick By Herman MelvilleContext Highlight In CHAPTER 71. The Jeroboam's Story. 8 He exerted preterhuman self-denial in abstaining from finishing him completely; but getting out of breath, he finally desisted, and dragged the apparently inanimate body on to the settle.
9 When he began to undo the chain, the legs desisted, and a voice began.
10 As these had not been well received, he had desisted.
11 Natasha only desisted when she had been told that there would be pineapple ice.