v. & n.
--v. (buys, buying; past and past part. bought)
1. tr. a obtain in exchange for money etc. b (usu. in neg.) serve to obtain (money can't buy happiness).
2 tr. a procure (the loyalty etc.) of a person by bribery, promises, etc. b win over (a person) in this way.
3 tr. get by sacrifice, great effort, etc. (dearly bought; bought with our sweat).
4 tr. sl. accept, believe in, approve of (it's a good scheme, I'll buy it; he bought it, he's so gullible).
5 absol. be a buyer for a store etc. (buys for Selfridges; are you buying or selling?).
--n. colloq. a purchase (that sofa was a good buy).
Phrases and idioms:
best buy the purchase giving the best value in proportion to its price; a bargain. buy in
1. buy a stock of.
2 withdraw (an item) at auction because of failure to reach the reserve price. buy into obtain a share in (an enterprise) by payment. buy it (usu. in past) sl. be killed. buy off get rid of (a claim, a claimant, a blackmailer) by payment. buy oneself out obtain one's release (esp. from the armed services) by payment. buy out pay (a person) to give up an ownership, interest, etc. buy-out n. the purchase of a controlling share in a company etc. buy over bribe. buy time delay an event, conclusion, etc., temporarily.
buy up
1. buy as much as possible of.
2 absorb (another firm etc.) by purchase.
Etymology: OE bycgan f. Gmc