keep

keep [kēp]

vt.

kept, keeping [ME kepen < OE cœpan, to behold, watch out for, lay hold of, akin to MLowG kapen, ON kopa, to stare at < ? IE base * ĝab-, to look at or for]

1. to observe or pay regard to; specif.,

a) to observe with due or prescribed acts, ceremonies, etc.; celebrate or solemnize [to keep the Sabbath]

b) to fulfill (a promise, etc.)

c) to follow or adhere to (a routine, diet, etc.)

d) to go on maintaining [to keep pace]

e) Archaic to attend (church, etc.) regularly

2. to take care of, or have and take care or charge of; specif.,

a) to protect; guard; defend

b) to look after; watch over; tend

c) to raise (livestock)

d) to maintain in good order or condition; preserve

e) to supply with food, shelter, etc.; provide for; support

f) to supply with food or lodging for pay [to keep boarders]

g) to have or maintain in one's service or for one's use [to keep servants]

h) to set down regularly in writing; maintain (a continuous written record) [to keep an account of sales]

i) to make regular entries in; maintain a continuous record of transactions, accounts, or happenings in [to keep books of account, to keep a diary]

j) to carry on; conduct; manage

3. to maintain, or cause to stay or continue, in a specified condition, position, etc. [to keep an engine running]

4. to have or hold; specif.,

a) to have or hold for future use or for a long time

b) to have regularly in stock for sale

5. to have or hold and not let go; specif.,

a) to hold in custody; prevent from escaping

b) to prevent from leaving; detain

c) to hold back; restrain [to keep someone from talking]

d) to withhold

e) to conceal; not tell (a secret, etc.)

f) to continue to have or hold; not lose or give up

g) to stay in or at; not leave (a path, course, or place)

vi.

1. to stay or continue in a specified condition, position, etc.

2. to continue; go on; persevere or persist: often with on [to keep on talking]

3. to hold oneself back; refrain [to keep from telling someone]

4. to stay in good condition; not become spoiled, sour, stale, etc.; last

5. to require no immediate attention [a task that will keep until tomorrow ]

☆ 6. Informal to continue in session [will school keep all day?]

7. Now Rare to reside; live; stay

n.

1. Obs. care, charge, or custody

2.

a) the strongest, innermost part or central tower of a medieval castle; donjon

b) a stronghold; fort; castle

3. Rare a keeping or being kept

4. what is needed to maintain a person or animal; food and shelter; support; livelihood

SYN.- CELEBRATE

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☆ for keeps Informal

1. with the agreement that the winner will keep what he or she wins

2. forever; permanently

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keep at

to continue doing, practicing, etc.; persist in (an activity)

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keep in with

Informal to remain on good terms with

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keep time

1. to maintain a set rhythm, beat, tempo, etc. [the drummers kept time for the marching band]

2. to mark the elapsing of time [this watch keeps good time]

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keep to

1. to persevere in

2. to avoid swerving from; adhere to

3. to remain in

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keep to oneself

1. to avoid the company of others

2. to treat (information, etc.) as confidential; not tell

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keep up

1. to maintain in good order or condition

2. to continue; not stop or end

3. to maintain the pace; not lag behind

4. to remain informed about: with on or with

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keep up with

to go or do as fast as; stay even with

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keep up with the Joneses

to strive to get all the material things one's neighbors or associates have