incessant
/ɪnˈsɛsənt/
adjective
Origin
Latin
incessantem — not ceasing
Overview
Meaning Now
- Continuing without pause or interruption; ceaseless.
Literal older meaning
not ceasing
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
incessant
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The term derives from the Latin verb 'cessare', which originally meant to loiter or delay, eventually becoming the base for 'cease' in English. The prefix 'in-' functions as a negation, emphasizing the lack of stopping.
Evolution
- Latin
incessantem
“not stopping”
Present participle of incessare.
- Middle French
incessant
“ceaseless”
Direct adoption into French.
- Early Modern English
incessant
“constant, unremitting”
Borrowed into English in the 15th century.
Connections
Word parts
in-
prefix
not
cess-
root
to yield or stop
-ant
suffix
forming an adjective
Related across languages
French
incessant
Spanish
incesante
incessant
Explore next
Related to incessant
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.