discontinuance

English

Etymology

Anglo-Norman, from Old French descontinuer.

Noun

discontinuance (countable and uncountable, plural discontinuances)

1. The occurrence of something being discontinued; a cessation; an incomplete ending.
   • 1940 July, “Notes and News: The appearance of Evil—A Warning to Railway Enthusiasts”, in Railway Magazine, page 418:

     If any railway official, policeman, or member of the Forces on duty, requests the discontinuance of any particular form of observation or note-taking, it is clearly right to give immediate compliance, especially when it is borne in mind that public authorities now have very wide powers to hold members of the general public in custody while inquiries are being conducted as to their bona fides.

Synonyms

• discontinuation
• termination

Antonyms

• continuance