keep
keep definition
keep (kēp)
transitive verb kept, keeping keep′·ing
- to observe or pay regard to; specif.,
- to observe with due or prescribed acts, ceremonies, etc.; celebrate or solemnize to keep the Sabbath
- to fulfill (a promise, etc.)
- to follow or adhere to (a routine, diet, etc.)
- to go on maintaining to keep pace
- Archaic to attend (church, etc.) regularly
- to take care of, or have and take care or charge of; specif.,
- to protect; guard; defend
- to look after; watch over; tend
- to raise (livestock)
- to maintain in good order or condition; preserve
- to supply with food, shelter, etc.; provide for; support
- to supply with food or lodging for pay to keep boarders
- to have or maintain in one's service or for one's use to keep servants
- to set down regularly in writing; maintain (a continuous written record) to keep an account of sales
- to make regular entries in; maintain a continuous record of transactions, accounts, or happenings in to keep books of account, to keep a diary
- to carry on; conduct; manage
- to maintain, or cause to stay or continue, in a specified condition, position, etc. to keep an engine running
- to have or hold; specif.,
- to have or hold for future use or for a long time
- to have regularly in stock for sale
- to have or hold and not let go; specif.,
- to hold in custody; prevent from escaping
- to prevent from leaving; detain
- to hold back; restrain to keep someone from talking
- to withhold
- to conceal; not tell (a secret, etc.)
- to continue to have or hold; not lose or give up
- to stay in or at; not leave (a path, course, or place)
Etymology: ME kepen < OE cœpan, to behold, watch out for, lay hold of, akin to MLowG kapen, ON kopa, to stare at < ? IE base *ĝab-, to look at or for
intransitive verb
- to stay or continue in a specified condition, position, etc.
- to continue; go on; persevere or persist: often with on to keep on talking
- to hold oneself back; refrain to keep from telling someone
- to stay in good condition; not become spoiled, sour, stale, etc.; last
- to require no immediate attention a task that will keep until tomorrow
- ☆ Informal to continue in session will school keep all day?
- Now Rare to reside; live; stay
noun
- Obsolete care, charge, or custody
- the strongest, innermost part or central tower of a medieval castle; donjon
- a stronghold; fort; castle
- Rare a keeping or being kept
- what is needed to maintain a person or animal; food and shelter; support; livelihood
keep Idioms
for keeps
☆ Informal- with the agreement that the winner will keep what he or she wins
- forever; permanently
keep at
to continue doing, practicing, etc.; persist in (an activity)
keep in with
Informal to remain on good terms with
keep time
- to maintain a set rhythm, beat, tempo, etc. the drummers kept time for the marching band
- to mark the elapsing of time this watch keeps good time
keep to
- to persevere in
- to avoid swerving from; adhere to
- to remain in
keep to oneself
- to avoid the company of others
- to treat (information, etc.) as confidential; not tell
keep up
- to maintain in good order or condition
- to continue; not stop or end
- to maintain the pace; not lag behind
- to remain informed about: with on or with
keep up with
to go or do as fast as; stay even with
keep up with the Joneses
to strive to get all the material things one's neighbors or associates have
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