noun hindrance; let; check.
2. stay ·vi to continue in a state.
3. stay ·vi to change tack; as a ship.
4. stay ·vi to cause to cease; to put an end to.
5. stay ·noun that which serves as a prop; a support.
6. stay ·vi to remain for the purpose of; to wait for.
7. stay ·noun cessation of motion or progression; stand; stop.
8. stay ·noun restraint of passion; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety.
9. stay ·vi to hold out in a race or other contest; as, a horse stays well.
10. stay ·noun strictly, a part in tension to hold the parts together, or stiffen them.
11. stay ·vi to fasten or secure with stays; as, to stay a flat sheet in a steam boiler.
12. stay ·vi to come to an end; to cease; as, that day the storm stayed.
13. stay ·vi to wait; to attend; to forbear to act.
14. stay ·noun a corset stiffened with whalebone or other material, worn by women, and rarely by men.
15. stay ·vi to support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time.
xvi. stay ·vi to hinde/; to delay; to detain; to keep back.
xvii. stay ·vi to tack, as a vessel, so that the other side of the vessel shall be presented to the wind.
xviii. stay ·vi to dwell; to tarry; to linger.
xix. stay ·noun continuance in a place; abode for a space of time; sojourn; as, you make a short stay in this city.
xx. stay ·vi to bear up under; to endure; to support; to resist successfully.
xxi. stay ·vi to stop from motion or falling; to prop; to fix firmly; to hold up; to support.
xxii. stay ·vi to remain; to continue in a place; to abide fixed for a space of time; to stop; to stand still.
xxiii. stay ·vi to hold from proceeding; to withhold; to restrain; to stop; to hold.
xxiv. stay ·vi to rest; to depend; to rely; to stand; to insist.
xxv. stay ·noun a large, strong rope, employed to support a mast, by being extended from the head of one mast down to some other, or to some part of the vessel. those which lead forward are called fore-and-aft stays; those which lead to the vessel's side are called backstays. ·see ·illust. of ship.