I. ˈkēp verb
( kept ˈkept ; keep·ing )
Etymology: Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan; perhaps akin to Old High German chapfēn to look
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to take notice of by appropriate conduct : fulfill : as
a. : to be faithful to
keep a promise
b. : to act fittingly in relation to
keep the Sabbath
c. : to conform to in habits or conduct
keep late hours
d. : to stay in accord with (a beat)
keep time
2. : preserve , maintain : as
a. : to watch over and defend
keep us from harm
b.
(1) : to take care of : tend
keep a garden
(2) : support
(3) : to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition — usually used with up
c. : to continue to maintain
keep watch
d.
(1) : to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition
keep him waiting
(2) : to preserve (food) in an unspoiled condition
e.
(1) : to have or maintain in an established position or relationship
keep a mistress
— often used with on
kept the cook on
(2) : to lodge or feed for pay
keep boarders
f.
(1) : to maintain a record in
keep a diary
(2) : to enter in a book
keep records
g. : to have customarily in stock for sale
3.
a. : to restrain from departure or removal : detain
keep children after school
b. : hold back , restrain
keep them from going
kept him back with difficulty
c. : save , reserve
keep some for later
kept some out for a friend
d. : to refrain from revealing
keep a secret
4.
a. : to retain in one's possession or power
kept the money we found
b. : to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing
kept the news back
c. : to have in control
keep your temper
5. : to confine oneself to
keep my room
6.
a. : to stay or continue in
keep the path
keep your seat
b. : to stay or remain on or in usually against opposition : hold
kept her ground
7. : conduct , manage
keep a tearoom
intransitive verb
1. chiefly British : live , lodge
2.
a. : to maintain a course, direction, or progress
keep to the right
b. : to continue usually without interruption
keep talking
keep quiet
keep on smiling
c. : to persist in a practice
kept bothering them
kept on smoking in spite of warnings
3. : stay , remain
keep out of the way
keep off the grass
as
a. : to stay even — usually used with up
keep up with the Joneses
b. : to remain in good condition
meat will keep in the freezer
c. : to remain secret
the secret would keep
d. : to call for no immediate action
the matter will keep until morning
4. : abstain , refrain
can't keep from talking
5. : to be in session
school will keep through the winter — W. M. Thayer
6. of a quarterback : to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff
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- keep an eye on
- keep at
- keep company
- keep house
- keep one's distance
- keep one's eyes open
- keep one's hand in
- keep one's head down
- keep one's nose clean
- keep pace
- keep step
- keep to
- keep to oneself
Synonyms:
keep , observe , celebrate , commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed. keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating
kept the Sabbath by refraining from work
observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance
not all holidays are observed nationally
celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity
traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner
commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event
commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths
Synonyms:
keep , retain , detain , withhold , reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control
keep this while I'm gone
retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss
managed to retain their dignity even in poverty
detain suggests a delay in letting go
detained them for questioning
withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go
withheld information from the authorities
reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use
reserve some of your energy for the last mile
II. noun
Date: 1579
1.
a. archaic : custody , charge
b. : maintenance
2. : one that keeps or protects: as
a. : fortress , castle ; specifically : the strongest and securest part of a medieval castle
b. : one whose job is to keep or tend
c. : prison , jail
3. : the means or provisions by which one is kept
earned his keep
4. : keeper 5
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- for keeps