keep

Meanings

Verb

• To continue in (a course or mode of action); not to intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
• to remain faithful to a given promise or word
• To wait for, keep watch for.
• To act as wicket-keeper.
• To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
• To be in session; to take place.
• To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate.
• To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
• To observe or celebrate (a holiday).

Noun

• The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
• The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
• The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
• The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
• That which is kept in charge; a charge.
• A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.

Related

Similar words

• retain
• preserve, protect

Origin

• From Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan, from Proto-Germanic *kōpijaną (compare West Frisian kypje), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵab-, *ǵāb- (compare Lithuanian žẽbti, Russian забо́та).