abide

Definition

To endure without yielding; to withstand.

Etymology

From Middle English abyden, from Old English ābīdan (“to abide, wait, remain, delay, remain behind; survive; wait for, await; expect”), from Proto-West Germanic *uʀbīdan, from Proto-Germanic *uzbīdaną (“to expect, tolerate”), equivalent to a- + bide. Cognate with Scots abide (“to abide, remain”), Middle High German erbīten (“to await, expect”), Gothic 𐌿𐍃𐌱𐌴𐌹𐌳𐌰𐌽 (usbeidan, “to expect, await, have patience”). The sense of pay for is due to influence from aby.

Example Sentences

• "The old oak tree abides the wind endlessly."
• ""I never could abide shoemakers," said an old servant,—and it ended in her marrying one."
• "VVe will be Kings and Lords within our ſelues, And not abide the pride of tyrranie."

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