n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: stayed \ ' st ā d \ also staid \ ' st ā d \ ; stay · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estei -, estai -, stem of ester to stand, stay, from Latin stare ― more at STAND
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1 : to stop going forward : PAUSE
2 : to stop doing something : CEASE
3 : to continue in a place or condition : REMAIN < stay ed up all night> <went for a short vacation but stay ed on for weeks> < stay put till I come back>
4 : to stand firm
5 : to take up residence : LODGE
6 : to keep even in a contest or rivalry < stay with the leaders>
7 : to call a poker bet without raising
8 obsolete : to be in waiting or attendance
transitive verb
1 : to wait for : AWAIT
2 : to stick or remain with (as a race or trial of endurance) to the end ― usually used in the phrase stay the course
3 : to remain during < stay ed the whole time>
4 a : to stop or delay the proceeding or advance of by or as if by interposing an obstacle : HALT < stay an execution> b : to check the course of (as a disease) c : ALLAY , PACIFY < stay ed tempers> d : to quiet the hunger of temporarily
synonyms see DEFER