stay

I

[[t]steɪ[/t]]

v. i.

1) to remain or continue over a length of time, as in a place or situation:

to stay up late[/ex]

2) to dwell temporarily; lodge:

to stay at a friend's apartment[/ex]

3) to pause or wait briefly:

Stay inside until the taxi comes[/ex]

4) to continue to be as specified:

to stay clean[/ex]

5) to hold out or endure, as in a contest or at a task:

to stay with a project[/ex]

6) to keep up, as with a competitor

7) to stop or halt

8) gam to continue in a hand of poker by matching a bet or raise

9) archaic to cease or desist

10) archaic to stand firm

11) to stop or halt

12) to hold back, detain, or restrain

13) to suspend or delay (actions, proceedings, etc.)

14)

a) to appease temporarily the hunger of:

This sandwich will stay you till dinner[/ex]

b) to satisfy temporarily the cravings of (the stomach, appetite, etc.)

15) to remain through or during (a period of time)

16) to remain to the end of; remain beyond (usu. fol. by out)

17) archaic to await

18) the act of stopping or being stopped

19) a stop, halt, or pause

20) a sojourn or temporary residence:

a week's stay in Miami[/ex]

21) law a suspension of a judicial proceeding:

a stay of execution[/ex]

22) inf staying power; endurance

•

- stay put

Etymology: 1400–50; late ME staien < AF estaier, OF estai-, s. of ester < L stāre to stand II

stay

[[t]steɪ[/t]] n.

1) bui something used to support or steady a thing; prop; brace

2) clo a flat strip of firm material, as steel or whalebone, used esp. for stiffening corsets, collars, etc

3) clo brit. stays, a corset

4) to support, prop, or hold up (sometimes fol. by up)

5) to sustain or strengthen mentally or spiritually

6) cvb to attach to a foundation or base

•

Etymology: 1505–15; partly n. der. of stay I, partly < OFestaye, n. der. of estayer to hold in place, support < Gmc; see stay III III

stay

[[t]steɪ[/t]] n.

1) naut. navig. any of various strong ropes or wires for steadying masts, funnels, etc

2) naut. navig. to support or secure with a stay or stays:

to stay a mast[/ex]

3) naut. navig. to put (a ship) on the other tack

4) naut. navig. (of a ship) to change to the other tack

•

- in stays

Etymology: bef. 1150; ME stey(e), OE stæg, c. ON stag