keep

/kˈip/

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Definitions

Noun
the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state for support"; "he could no longer earn his own livelihood"
Noun
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
Noun
a cell in a jail or prison
Verb
keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a lady"; "The students keep me on my toes"
Verb
continue a certain state, condition, or activity; "Keep on working!"; "We continued to work into the night"; "Keep smiling"; "We went on working until well past midnight"
Verb
retain possession of; "Can I keep my old stuffed animals?"; "She kept her maiden name after she married"
Verb
stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state; "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"; "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"; "Keep the child from eating the marbles"
Verb
conform one''s action or practice to; "keep appointments"; "she never keeps her promises"; "We kept to the original conditions of the contract"
Verb
stick to correctly or closely; "The pianist kept time with the metronome"; "keep count"; "I cannot keep track of all my employees"
Verb
look after; be the keeper of; have charge of; "He keeps the shop when I am gone"
Verb
maintain by writing regular records; "keep a diary"; "maintain a record"; "keep notes"
Verb
supply with room and board; "He is keeping three women in the guest cottage"; "keep boarders"
Verb
allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family''s fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"; "She retained her composure"; "this garment retains its shape even after many washings"
Verb
supply with necessities and support; "She alone sustained her family"; "The money will sustain our good cause"; "There''s little to earn and many to keep"
Verb
fail to spoil or rot; "These potatoes keep for a long time"
Verb
behave as expected during of holidays or rites; "Keep the commandments"; "celebrate Christmas"; "Observe Yom Kippur"
Verb
keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"
Verb
maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger; "May God keep you"
Verb
raise; "She keeps a few chickens in the yard"; "he keeps bees"
Verb
retain rights to; "keep my job for me while I give birth"; "keep my seat, please"; "keep open the possibility of a merger"
Verb
store or keep customarily; "Where do you keep your gardening tools?"
Verb
have as a supply; "I always keep batteries in the freezer"; "keep food for a week in the pantry"; "She keeps a sixpack and a week''s worth of supplies in the refrigerator"
Verb
maintain for use and service; "I keep a car in the countryside"; "She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips"
Verb
hold and prevent from leaving; "The student was kept after school"
Verb
prevent (food) from rotting; "preserved meats"; "keep potatoes fresh"
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