This is the 9900th most frequent Portuguese word.
desistiu
"Gave up" or "quit."
The word 'desistiu' is used here to indicate voluntarily stopping an activity or pursuit.
Ela desistiu do curso porque encontrou uma alternativa melhor.
She gave up the course because she found a better alternative.
In this context, 'desistiu' communicates an act of ceasing an effort or struggle.
Ele desistiu de lutar, aceitando o resultado.
He gave up fighting, accepting the outcome.
Here, 'desistiu' is the verbal form contrasting with 'não' to mean 'giving up' as intentional cessation of aspiration.