Main Entry:

abide

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈbīd\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

abode \-ˈbōd\ or abid·ed; abid·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English ābīdan, from ā-, perfective prefix + bīdan to bide; akin to Old High German ir-, perfective prefix — more at BIDE

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1: to wait for : await2 a: to endure without yielding : withstand b: to bear patiently : tolerate <cannot abide such bigots>3: to accept without objection <will abide your decision>intransitive verb1: to remain stable or fixed in a state2: to continue in a place : sojourn

synonyms see bear, continue

— abid·er noun

— abide by

1: to conform to <abide by the rules>2: to acquiesce in <will abide by your decision>