Main Entry: ¹buy

Pronunciation: \ˈbī\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): bought \ˈbȯt\; buy·ing

Etymology: Middle English byen, from Old English bycgan; akin to Gothic bugjan to buy

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to acquire possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment especially of money : purchase
2 a : to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice <they bought peace with their freedom> b : redeem 6
3 : bribe, hire
4 : to be the purchasing equivalent of <the dollar buys less today than it used to>
5 : accept, believe <I don't buy that hooey> —often used with intointransitive verb : to make a purchase

— buy·er \ˈbī(-ə)r\ noun

— buy into : to purchase a portion of or interest in <the TV network bought into its local football team>

— buy it or buy the farm : to get killed : die

— buy time : to delay an imminent action or decision : stall