keep
VERB:
(tr):
1. to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own:
If you like it, keep it. Keep the change.
2. to hold or have the use of for a period of time:
You can keep it for the summer.
3. to hold in a given place; store:
You can keep your things in here.
4. to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc.:
to keep watch; to keep step.
5. to cause to continue in a given position, state, course, or action:
to keep a light burning; to keep a child happy.
6. to maintain in condition or order, as by care and labor:
He keeps his car in good condition.
7. to maintain in usable or edible condition; preserve:
If you want to keep meat for a long time, freeze it.
8. to hold in custody or under guard, as a prisoner:
They kept him in jail.
9. to cause to stay in a particular place; prevent or restrain from departure:
The work kept her at the office.
10. to have regularly in stock and for sale:
to keep a large supply of machine parts.
11. to maintain in one's service or for one's use or enjoyment:
to keep a car and chauffeur.
12. to associate with:
She keeps bad company.
13. to have the care, charge, or custody of:
She keeps my dog when I travel.
14. to refrain from disclosing; withhold from the knowledge of others:
to keep a secret.
15. to withhold from use; reserve; save:
I'll keep this toy until you learn to behave; Keep the good wine for company.
16. to hold back or restrain:
They kept the child from talking; Nothing can keep him from doing it.
17. to maintain control of; regulate:
to keep the peace; to keep your temper.
18. to maintain by writing:
to keep a diary.
19. to record (business transactions, daily occurrences, etc.) regularly:
to keep records; to keep a list of visitors.
20. to observe; pay obedient regard to (a law, rule, promise, etc.).
21. to conform to; follow; fulfill:
to keep one's word.
22. to observe (a season, festival, etc.) with formalities or rites:
to keep Christmas.
23. to maintain or carry on, as an establishment, business, etc.; manage.
24. to guard; protect:
He kept her from harm.
25. to maintain or support:
It costs more each year to keep a house.
26. to take care of; tend: to keep a vegetable garden.
27. to remain in (a place, spot, etc.):
Please keep your seats.
28. to maintain one's position in or on:
He kept the job.
29. to continue to follow (a path, track, course, etc.).
30. to maintain in active existence, as an assembly, court, or fair.
31. to have or retain possession of.
32. to have temporary possession or charge of:
keep my watch for me during the game.
33. to store in a customary place:
I keep my books in the desk.
34. to have or take charge or care of:
keep the shop for me till I return.
35. to look after or maintain for use, pleasure, etc:
to keep chickens; keep two cars.
36. to provide for the upkeep or livelihood of.
37. to refrain from divulging or violating:
to keep a secret; keep one's word.
38. (sometimes foll by up) to observe with due rites or ceremonies:
to keep Christmas.
39. to maintain by writing regular records into:
keep a diary.
38. to associate with (esp in the phrase "keep bad company").
39. to maintain in existence:
to keep court in the palace.
40. (mainly British) to have habitually in stock:
this shop keeps all kinds of wool.
41. to retain in one's possession or power:
kept the money we found.
42. to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing:
kept the news back.
43. to have in control:
keep your temper.
44. to take notice of by appropriate conduct; fulfill, such as:
a) to be faithful to:
keep a promise
b) to act fittingly in relation to:
keep the Sabbath
c) to conform to in habits or conduct:
keep late hours
d) to stay in accord with (a beat):
keep time.
45. preserve, maintain: such as:
a) to watch over and defend:
keep us from harm
b) to take care of; tend:
keep a garden
c) support
d) to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition —usually used with up
46. to continue to maintain:
keep watch.
47. to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition:
keep him waiting.
48. to have or maintain in an established position or relationship:
keep a mistress
—often used with on:
kept the cook on.
49. to lodge or feed for pay:
keep boarders.
50. to maintain a record:
in keep a diary.
51. to enter in a book:
keep records.
52. to have customarily in stock for sale.
53. to restrain from departure or removal; detain:
keep children after school.
54. hold back, restrain:
keep them from going; kept him back with difficulty.
55. save, reserve:
keep some for later; kept some out for a friend.
56. to refrain from revealing:
keep a secret.
57. to confine oneself to:
keep my room.
58. to stay or continue in:
keep the path; keep your seat.
59. to stay or remain on or in usually against opposition; hold:
kept her ground.
60. conduct, manage:
keep a tearoom.
of livestock:
to raise:
These farmers keep goats and cattle.
of sex, etc:
1. to support or contribute to the support of in return for sexual or other favors.
2. to support financially, esp in return for sexual favours:
he keeps a mistress in the country.
of food:
to preserve (food) in an unspoiled condition.
(intr):
1. to continue in an action, course, position, state, etc.:
to keep in sight; to keep going.
2. to remain, or continue to be, as specified:
to keep cool.
3. to remain or stay in a particular place:
to keep indoors.
4. to continue unimpaired or without spoiling:
The food will keep on ice.
5. to admit of being reserved for a future occasion:
I have more to tell you, but it will keep.
6. to keep oneself or itself as specified (followed by away, back, off, out, etc.):
Keep off the grass.
7. to restrain oneself; refrain (usually followed by from):
Try to keep from smiling.
8. to maintain a course, direction, or progress:
keep to the right.
9. to continue usually without interruption:
keep talking; keep quiet; keep on smiling.
10. to persist in a practice:
kept bothering them; kept on smoking in spite of warnings.
11. stay, remain:
keep out of the way; keep off the grass
such as:
a) to stay even —usually used with up:
keep up with the Joneses
b) to remain in good condition:
meat will keep in the freezer
c) to remain secret:
the secret would keep
d) to call for no immediate action:
the matter will keep until morning
12. abstain, refrain:
can't keep from talking.
13. to be in session:
school will keep through the winter. —W. M. Thayer.
in sports:
(of a quarterback) to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff.
chiefly British:
live, lodge.
(tr or intr):
1. to remain or cause to remain in a specified state or condition:
keep the dog quiet; keep ready.
2. to continue or cause to continue:
keep the beat; keep in step.
3. to confine or detain or be confined or detained.
4. to withhold or reserve or admit of withholding or reserving:
your news will keep till later.
5. to preserve or admit of preservation.
6. (when intr, foll by in, on, to, etc) to stay in, on, or at (a place or position):
please keep your seats; keep to the path.
Examples:
She's going to keep the money she found. I can't decide whether to sell my old car or keep it for another year. —Merriam-Webster.
Origin:
First recorded before 1000; Middle English kepen, Old English cēpan “to observe, heed, watch, await, take”; perhaps akin to Old English gecōp “proper, fitting,” capian “to look,” Old Norse kōpa “to stare”. Dictionary 2: Old English cēpan to observe; compare Old Saxon kapōn to look, Old Norse kōpa to stare. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of keep: Verb: before the 12th century. Noun: 1579. History and Etymology for keep: Verb and Noun: Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan; perhaps akin to Old High German chapfēn to look. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
(tr):
1. to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own:
If you like it, keep it. Keep the change.
2. to hold or have the use of for a period of time:
You can keep it for the summer.
3. to hold in a given place; store:
You can keep your things in here.
4. to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc.:
to keep watch; to keep step.
5. to cause to continue in a given position, state, course, or action:
to keep a light burning; to keep a child happy.
6. to maintain in condition or order, as by care and labor:
He keeps his car in good condition.
7. to maintain in usable or edible condition; preserve:
If you want to keep meat for a long time, freeze it.
8. to hold in custody or under guard, as a prisoner:
They kept him in jail.
9. to cause to stay in a particular place; prevent or restrain from departure:
The work kept her at the office.
10. to have regularly in stock and for sale:
to keep a large supply of machine parts.
11. to maintain in one's service or for one's use or enjoyment:
to keep a car and chauffeur.
12. to associate with:
She keeps bad company.
13. to have the care, charge, or custody of:
She keeps my dog when I travel.
14. to refrain from disclosing; withhold from the knowledge of others:
to keep a secret.
15. to withhold from use; reserve; save:
I'll keep this toy until you learn to behave; Keep the good wine for company.
16. to hold back or restrain:
They kept the child from talking; Nothing can keep him from doing it.
17. to maintain control of; regulate:
to keep the peace; to keep your temper.
18. to maintain by writing:
to keep a diary.
19. to record (business transactions, daily occurrences, etc.) regularly:
to keep records; to keep a list of visitors.
20. to observe; pay obedient regard to (a law, rule, promise, etc.).
21. to conform to; follow; fulfill:
to keep one's word.
22. to observe (a season, festival, etc.) with formalities or rites:
to keep Christmas.
23. to maintain or carry on, as an establishment, business, etc.; manage.
24. to guard; protect:
He kept her from harm.
25. to maintain or support:
It costs more each year to keep a house.
26. to take care of; tend: to keep a vegetable garden.
27. to remain in (a place, spot, etc.):
Please keep your seats.
28. to maintain one's position in or on:
He kept the job.
29. to continue to follow (a path, track, course, etc.).
30. to maintain in active existence, as an assembly, court, or fair.
31. to have or retain possession of.
32. to have temporary possession or charge of:
keep my watch for me during the game.
33. to store in a customary place:
I keep my books in the desk.
34. to have or take charge or care of:
keep the shop for me till I return.
35. to look after or maintain for use, pleasure, etc:
to keep chickens; keep two cars.
36. to provide for the upkeep or livelihood of.
37. to refrain from divulging or violating:
to keep a secret; keep one's word.
38. (sometimes foll by up) to observe with due rites or ceremonies:
to keep Christmas.
39. to maintain by writing regular records into:
keep a diary.
38. to associate with (esp in the phrase "keep bad company").
39. to maintain in existence:
to keep court in the palace.
40. (mainly British) to have habitually in stock:
this shop keeps all kinds of wool.
41. to retain in one's possession or power:
kept the money we found.
42. to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing:
kept the news back.
43. to have in control:
keep your temper.
44. to take notice of by appropriate conduct; fulfill, such as:
a) to be faithful to:
keep a promise
b) to act fittingly in relation to:
keep the Sabbath
c) to conform to in habits or conduct:
keep late hours
d) to stay in accord with (a beat):
keep time.
45. preserve, maintain: such as:
a) to watch over and defend:
keep us from harm
b) to take care of; tend:
keep a garden
c) support
d) to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition —usually used with up
46. to continue to maintain:
keep watch.
47. to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition:
keep him waiting.
48. to have or maintain in an established position or relationship:
keep a mistress
—often used with on:
kept the cook on.
49. to lodge or feed for pay:
keep boarders.
50. to maintain a record:
in keep a diary.
51. to enter in a book:
keep records.
52. to have customarily in stock for sale.
53. to restrain from departure or removal; detain:
keep children after school.
54. hold back, restrain:
keep them from going; kept him back with difficulty.
55. save, reserve:
keep some for later; kept some out for a friend.
56. to refrain from revealing:
keep a secret.
57. to confine oneself to:
keep my room.
58. to stay or continue in:
keep the path; keep your seat.
59. to stay or remain on or in usually against opposition; hold:
kept her ground.
60. conduct, manage:
keep a tearoom.
of livestock:
to raise:
These farmers keep goats and cattle.
of sex, etc:
1. to support or contribute to the support of in return for sexual or other favors.
2. to support financially, esp in return for sexual favours:
he keeps a mistress in the country.
of food:
to preserve (food) in an unspoiled condition.
(intr):
1. to continue in an action, course, position, state, etc.:
to keep in sight; to keep going.
2. to remain, or continue to be, as specified:
to keep cool.
3. to remain or stay in a particular place:
to keep indoors.
4. to continue unimpaired or without spoiling:
The food will keep on ice.
5. to admit of being reserved for a future occasion:
I have more to tell you, but it will keep.
6. to keep oneself or itself as specified (followed by away, back, off, out, etc.):
Keep off the grass.
7. to restrain oneself; refrain (usually followed by from):
Try to keep from smiling.
8. to maintain a course, direction, or progress:
keep to the right.
9. to continue usually without interruption:
keep talking; keep quiet; keep on smiling.
10. to persist in a practice:
kept bothering them; kept on smoking in spite of warnings.
11. stay, remain:
keep out of the way; keep off the grass
such as:
a) to stay even —usually used with up:
keep up with the Joneses
b) to remain in good condition:
meat will keep in the freezer
c) to remain secret:
the secret would keep
d) to call for no immediate action:
the matter will keep until morning
12. abstain, refrain:
can't keep from talking.
13. to be in session:
school will keep through the winter. —W. M. Thayer.
in sports:
(of a quarterback) to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff.
chiefly British:
live, lodge.
(tr or intr):
1. to remain or cause to remain in a specified state or condition:
keep the dog quiet; keep ready.
2. to continue or cause to continue:
keep the beat; keep in step.
3. to confine or detain or be confined or detained.
4. to withhold or reserve or admit of withholding or reserving:
your news will keep till later.
5. to preserve or admit of preservation.
6. (when intr, foll by in, on, to, etc) to stay in, on, or at (a place or position):
please keep your seats; keep to the path.
Examples:
She's going to keep the money she found. I can't decide whether to sell my old car or keep it for another year. —Merriam-Webster.
Origin:
First recorded before 1000; Middle English kepen, Old English cēpan “to observe, heed, watch, await, take”; perhaps akin to Old English gecōp “proper, fitting,” capian “to look,” Old Norse kōpa “to stare”. Dictionary 2: Old English cēpan to observe; compare Old Saxon kapōn to look, Old Norse kōpa to stare. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of keep: Verb: before the 12th century. Noun: 1579. History and Etymology for keep: Verb and Noun: Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan; perhaps akin to Old High German chapfēn to look. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.