cess

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /sɛs/ Rhymes: -ɛs === Etymology 1 === For the first meaning below, the writings of Edmund Spenser, published 1633, point to a borrowing from Irish cís (“tax, tribute, cess, rent”), likely from Latin census. Other senses: Uncertain. Occurs in print at least as early as 1831, when Samuel Lover used the expression as one already long-established. He unambiguously stated the derivation of cess in the malediction bad cess to be an abbreviation of success. The OED speculated that it either was from success or from assessment meaning a military or governmental exaction. The verb is attested in Middle English (cessen). ==== Noun ==== cess (plural cesses) (UK, Ireland, India) An assessed tax, duty, or levy; billeting. (UK, Ireland, informal) Usually preceded by good or (more commonly) bad: luck or success. (obsolete) Bound; measure. ==== Verb ==== cess (third-person singular simple present cesses, present participle cessing, simple past and past participle cessed) (UK, Ireland) To levy a cess. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== See also ===== cease cessation === Etymology 2 === Possibly from an archaic dialect word meaning “bog”. According to the OED, from earlier suspiral (“water pipe, setting tank”). ==== Noun ==== cess (plural cesses) (rail transport) The area along either side of a railroad track which is kept at a lower level than the sleeper bottom, in order to provide drainage. (obsolete, dialect) A bog, in particular a peat bog. (obsolete, dialect) A piece of peat, or a turf, particularly when dried for use as fuel. ===== Derived terms ===== cess path cess heave ==== See also ==== cesspool cesspit ==== References ==== === Etymology 3 === From Middle French cesser. See cease. ==== Verb ==== cess (third-person singular simple present cesses, present participle cessing, simple past and past participle cessed) (obsolete, law) To cease; to neglect. === Anagrams === CSEs, ECSS, ESCs, secs, secs. == Norwegian Nynorsk == === Alternative forms === Cess (alternative capitalization) === Noun === cess m (definite singular cessen, indefinite plural cessar, definite plural cessane) (music) C-flat ==== Derived terms ==== cess-dur m == Swedish == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /sɛsː/ Rhymes: -ɛsː === Noun === cess n (music) C-flat; the note C♭ ==== Declension ==== ==== Related terms ==== ciss