Definition of "abide" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To endure without yielding; to withstand.

   • The old oak tree abides the wind endlessly.

2. (transitive) To bear patiently.

   • "I never could abide shoemakers," said an old servant,—and it ended in her marrying one.

3. (transitive) To pay for; to stand the consequences of.

4. Used in a phrasal verb: abide by (“to accept and act in accordance with”).

   • The new teacher was strict and the students did not want to abide by his rules.

5. (intransitive, obsolete) To wait in expectation.

6. (intransitive, obsolete) To pause; to delay.

7. (intransitive, archaic, Scotland) To stay; to continue in a place; to remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to be left.

8. (intransitive, archaic) To have one's abode.

9. (intransitive, archaic) To endure; to remain; to last.

10. (transitive, archaic) To stand ready for; to await for someone; watch for.

11. (transitive, obsolete) To endure or undergo a hard trial or a task; to stand up under.

12. (transitive, archaic) To await submissively; accept without question; submit to.