Abide
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /əˈbaɪd/
- US IPA: /əˈbaɪd/
- Rhymes: -aɪd
Origin
From Middle English abiden, from Old English ÄbÄ«dan ("to abide, wait, remain, delay, remain behind; survive; wait for, await; expect"), from Proto-Germanic *uzbÄ«danÄ… ("to expect, tolerate"), equivalent to - + bide. Cognate with Scots abyde ("to abide, remain"), Middle High German erbÄ«ten ("to await, expect"), Gothic ðŒ¿ðƒðŒ±ðŒ´ðŒ¹ðŒ³ðŒ°ðŒ½ (usbeidan, "to expect, await, have patience"). The sense of pay for is due to influence from aby.
MW3 1976|page=3
Full definition of abide
Verb
- (intransitive, obsolete) To wait in expectation. Attested from prior to 1150 until the mid 17th century.
- Authorized Version|Genesis|22|5Abide you here with the asse.
- (intransitive, obsolete) To pause; to delay. Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the mid 17th century.
- (intransitive) To stay; to continue in a place; to remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to be left. First attested from around (1150 to 1350).
- Authorized Version|1 Corinthians|7|20Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
- (intransitive, archaic) To have one's abode; to dwell; to reside; to sojourn. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).
- Authorized Version|Genesis|24|55Let the damsel abide with us a few days.
- (intransitive) To endure. to remain; to last. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).
- (transitive) To stand ready for; to await for someone; watch for. First attested prior to around 1150.
- 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XIII:Ryght so departed Sir Launcelot and founde hys felyship that abode hys comming ....
- Authorized Version|Acts|20|23Bonds and afflictions abide me.
- 1856-1885, w, Idylls of the King, I will abide the coming of my lord.
- (transitive) To endure without yielding; to withstand; await defiantly; to encounter; to persevere. First attested from around (1150 to 1350).The old oak tree abides the wind endlessly.
- (transitive, obsolete) To endure or undergo a hard trial or a task; to stand up under. Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the early 18th century.
- 1856-1885, w, Idylls of the King, ... And shalt abide her judgment on it.
- (transitive) To await submissively; accept without question; submit to. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).
- William Shakespeare, Richard IITo abide thy kingly doom.
- (transitive) To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with; stand. First attested in the late 15th century.
- Shakespeare Henry 4-2|III-iiShe could not abide Master Shallow.
- (transitive) To pay for; to stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for; to atone for. First attested in the late 16th century.
- 1667, w, Paradise Lost, How dearly I abide that boast so vain, ...
Usage notes
(bear patiently) Used in the negative form can't abide is used to indicate strong dislike.