■ verb ( past and past participle kept )
1》 have or retain possession of.
↘retain or reserve for use in the future.
↘put or store in a regular place.
↘(of a perishable commodity) remain in good condition.
2》 continue or cause to continue in a specified condition, position, or activity: ~ away from the edge | she kept quiet about it.
3》 provide for the sustenance of.
↘own and look after (an animal).
↘[as adjective kept ] supported financially in return for sexual favours.
4》 delay or detain; cause to be late.
5》 honour or fulfil (a commitment or undertaking).
↘observe or pay due regard to (a law, custom, or religious occasion).
6》 regularly make entries in (a diary).
↘write down as (a record): ~ a note of each item.
■ noun
1》 food, clothes, and other essentials for living.
2》 archaic charge; control.
3》 the strongest or central tower of a castle.
Phrases
for ~s informal permanently; indefinitely.
Phrasal verbs
~ at (or ~ someone at ) persist (or force someone to persist) with.
~ from (or ~ someone from ) avoid (or cause someone to avoid) doing something.
~ something from
1》 cause something to remain a secret from (someone).
2》 cause something to stay out of: she couldn't ~ the dismay from her voice.
~ someone from guard or protect someone from.
~ off avoid encroaching on.
↘avoid consuming: the first thing was to ~ off alcohol.
↘avoid (a topic).
~ on continue to do something.
~ on about speak about (something) repeatedly.
~ on at Brit. harass with constant requests.
~ someone/thing on continue to use or employ someone or something.
~ to
1》 avoid leaving (a path, road, or place).
2》 adhere to (a schedule).
3》 observe (a promise).
4》 confine or restrict oneself to.
~ up move or progress at the same rate as someone or something else.
~ up with
1》 learn about or be aware of (current events or developments).
2》 continue to be in contact with (someone).
3》 meet a regular commitment to pay or do (something).
~ something up continue a course of action.
Derivatives
~able adjective
Origin
OE cēpan 'seize, take in', also 'care for, attend to', of unknown origin.