stay

noun

a heavy rope or cable, usually of wire, used as a brace or support, as for a mast of a ship; guy

Etymology: ME staie < OE stæg, akin to Du stag < IE *stāk-, to stand, place < base *sta-: see stand

transitive verb

to brace or support with a stay or stays

noun

1. anything used as a support, or prop
2. a strip of stiffening material used in a corset, the collar of a shirt, etc.
3. Chiefly Brit. a corset stiffened as with whalebone

Etymology: MFr estaie < Frank *stakka: see stick

transitive verb

1. to support, or prop up
2. to strengthen, comfort, or sustain in mind or spirit
3. to cause (something) to rest on, upon, or in for support

intransitive verb stayed, stay′·ing

1. to continue in the place or condition specified; remain; keep to stay at home, to stay healthy
2. to live, dwell, or reside, esp. temporarily (for the time specified)
3. to stand still; stop; halt
4. to pause; tarry; wait; delay
5. Informal to continue or endure; last to stay with a project
6. Informal to keep up (with another contestant in a race, etc.)
7. Archaic to cease doing something
8. Archaic to make a stand
9. ☆ Poker to remain in a hand by meeting the bet or raise

Etymology: ME staien < Anglo-Fr estaier < OFr ester < L stare, to stand

transitive verb

1. to stop, halt, or check
2. to hinder, impede, restrain, or detain
3. to postpone or delay (legal action or proceedings)
4. Rare to quell or allay (strife, etc.)
5. to satisfy or appease for a time the pangs or cravings of (thirst, appetite, etc.)
6. 1. to remain through or during: often with out to stay the week (out)
   2. to be able to last through to stay the distance in a long race
7. Archaic to await

noun

1. 1. a stopping or being stopped
   2. a stop, halt, check, or pause
2. a postponement or delay in legal action or proceedings a stay of execution
3. 1. the action of remaining or continuing in a place for a time
   2. time spent in a place a long stay in the hospital
4. Informal ability to continue or endure