v.
Pronunciation: ō - ' b ā , ə -
Function: verb
Inflected Form: obeyed ; obey · ing
Etymology: Middle English obeien, from Anglo-French obeir, from Latin oboedire, from ob- toward + -oedire (akin to audire to hear) ― more at OB- , AUDIBLE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to follow the commands or guidance of
2 : to conform to or comply with < obey an order> <falling objects obey the laws of physics>
intransitive verb : to behave obediently
– obey · er noun