keep

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v. kept, keep•ing, n.

1) to hold or retain in one's possession, either permanently or temporarily

2) to hold in a given place; put or store:

to keep mints in a dish[/ex]

3) to maintain (some action), as in accordance with duty:

to keep watch[/ex]

4) to cause to continue in a given position, state, course, or action:

to keep a light burning[/ex]

5) to maintain in condition or order:

to keep a lawn mowed[/ex]

6) to maintain in usable or edible condition; preserve:

to keep meat by freezing it[/ex]

7) to hold in custody or under guard, as a prisoner

8) to cause to stay in a particular place; detain:

The work kept me at the office[/ex]

9) to have readily available for use or sale:

to keep machine parts in stock[/ex]

10) to maintain in one's service or for one's use:

to keep a car and chauffeur[/ex]

11) to associate with:

to keep bad company[/ex]

12) to have the care, charge, or custody of:

She keeps my dog when I travel[/ex]

13) to refrain from disclosing:

to keep a secret[/ex]

14) to withhold, as from use; reserve:

to keep the best wine for guests[/ex]

15) to restrain or prevent, as from an action:

to keep a pipe from leaking[/ex]

16) to control; regulate:

to keep one's temper[/ex]

17) to maintain by writing:

to keep a diary[/ex]

18) to record regularly or consistently:

to keep attendance figures[/ex]

19) to observe; obey or fulfill (a law, rule, promise, etc.)

20) to observe (a season, festival, etc.) with formalities or rites

21) to maintain or carry on, as an establishment or business; manage

22) to guard; protect:

He kept her from harm[/ex]

23) to maintain or support:

Can you keep a family on those wages?[/ex]

24) to take care of; tend:

to keep an herb garden[/ex]

25) agr. to raise and provide for the care of as owner:

to keep goats[/ex]

26) to remain in (a place, spot, etc.):

Please keep your seats[/ex]

27) to maintain one's position in or on:

to keep a job[/ex]

28) to continue to follow (a path, course, etc.)

29) to continue in an action, course, position, or state:

to keep going; to keep calm[/ex]

30) to remain in a particular place:

to keep indoors[/ex]

31) to continue without damage or spoilage:

Will the milk keep for another day?[/ex]

32) to admit of being reserved for a future occasion:

The rest of the story will keep[/ex]

33) to stay as specified (fol. by away, back, off, out, etc.):

Keep off the grass[/ex]

34) to restrain oneself; refrain (usu. fol. by from):

Try to keep from smiling[/ex]

35) phv keep at, to persevere in

36) phv keep back

a) to hold in check; restrain

b) to stay away from

37) cvb phv keep down

a) to maintain at an acceptable level; control

b) to prevent from advancing or flourishing

c) phv to avoid regurgitation of

38) phv keep on, to persevere

39) phv keep to

a) to conform to:

to keep to the rules[/ex]

b) to confine oneself to:

to keep to one's bed[/ex]

40) phv keep up

a) phv to perform as swiftly or successfully as others

b) to persevere; continue

c) to maintain in good condition or repair

d) to stay informed

41) board and lodging; support

42) for the innermost and strongest structure or central tower of a medieval castle; dungeon

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- for keeps keep to oneself

Etymology: bef. 1000; ME kepen, OE cēpan to observe, heed, watch, take