Meaning of keep | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A surname.
2. The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
   countable, historical, uncountable
3. To persevere in work or an action.
4. The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
   countable, uncountable
5. To stay away from.
6. The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
   countable, uncountable
7. To adhere to: keep to the original purpose.
8. A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
   countable, uncountable
9. To be watchful.
10. The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
    countable, obsolete, uncountable
11. To be courageous or stoic in the face of adversity.
12. That which is kept in charge; a charge.
    countable, obsolete, uncountable
13. To be stalwart, courageous, or optimistic in the face of difficulty.
14. A mistress (the other woman in an extramarital relationship, generally including sexual relations).
    countable, euphemistic, obsolete, uncountable
15. To be on the lookout.
16. To stay out of trouble.
17. To stay even with others, as in a contest.
18. To accompany or remain with.

Equivalents

Examples

“He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.”

“to be in good keep”

“So Sir Gareth strayned hym so that his olde wounde braste ayen on bledynge; but he was hote and corragyous and toke no kepe, but with his grete forse he strake downe the knyght[…].”

So Sir Gareth strained him, so that his old wound brast again a-bleeding; but he was hot and courageous and took no keep, but with his great force he struck down the knight […].

“Pan, thou god of shepherds all, / Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.”

“Often he used of his keep / A sacrifice to bring.”

“My Darling Girl, In London the other day I heard a piece of news which may amuse you. The French girl who shot her so-called Egyptian prince and is going to be tried for murder, is the fancy woman who was the Prince's 'keep' in Paris during the war […]”

CEFR level