Legal Definitions - desist

In legal terms, to desist means to stop or refrain from an action, activity, or behavior. It often implies a command, a request, or a legal obligation to discontinue a particular course of conduct.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of "desist":

• A software company discovers that a former employee is using proprietary code in their new startup. The company's legal team sends a letter demanding that the former employee immediately desist from using or distributing any of the company's intellectual property.

  This example illustrates desist because the letter is a formal instruction for the former employee to stop the action of using and distributing the proprietary code.

• During a neighborhood dispute, one homeowner repeatedly plays loud music late at night, disturbing their neighbors. After several complaints, the homeowners' association sends a formal notice requiring the homeowner to desist from playing loud music during quiet hours, citing a violation of community rules.

  Here, desist means the homeowner is being ordered to stop the disruptive behavior of playing loud music late at night.

• A government regulatory agency issues an order to a food manufacturer to desist from making unsubstantiated health claims about their products in advertising, warning of penalties if the practice continues.

  This demonstrates desist as the agency is commanding the manufacturer to stop making false or misleading health claims in their advertisements.