v.
(past and past part. kept)
- have or retain possession of.
▸retain or reserve for use in the future.
▸put or store in a regular place.
▸(of a perishable commodity) remain in good condition.
- continue or cause to continue in a specified condition, position, or activity:
keep away from the edge
she kept quiet about it.
- provide for the sustenance of.
▸own and look after (an animal).
▸
[as adj. kept]
supported financially in return for sexual favours.
- delay or detain; cause to be late.
- honour or fulfil (a commitment or undertaking).
▸observe or pay due regard to (a law, custom, or religious occasion).
- regularly make entries in (a diary).
▸write down as (a record):
keep a note of each item.
n.
- food, clothes, and other essentials for living.
- archaic charge; control.
- the strongest or central tower of a castle.
Phrase
- for keeps
informal permanently; indefinitely.
Phrase verbal
- keep at
(or keep someone at)
persist (or force someone to persist) with. - keep from
(or keep someone from)
avoid (or cause someone to avoid) doing something. - keep something from
- cause something to remain a secret from (someone).
- cause something to stay out of:
she couldn't keep the dismay from her voice.
- keep someone from
guard or protect someone from. - keep off
avoid encroaching on. ▸avoid consuming:
the first thing was to keep off alcohol.
▸avoid (a topic).
- keep on
continue to do something. - keep on about
speak about (something) repeatedly. - keep on at
Brit. harass with constant requests. - keep someone/thing on
continue to use or employ someone or something. - keep to
- avoid leaving (a path, road, or place).
- adhere to (a schedule).
- observe (a promise).
- confine or restrict oneself to.
- keep up
move or progress at the same rate as someone or something else. - keep up with
- learn about or be aware of (current events or developments).
- continue to be in contact with (someone).
- meet a regular commitment to pay or do (something).
- keep something up
continue a course of action.
Derivative
Etymology
OE cēpan ‘seize, take in’, also ‘care for, attend to’, of unknown origin.