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 verb1: to acquire possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment especially of money : purchase2 a: to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice <they bought peace with their freedom> b: redeem 63: bribe, hire4: 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