SINCE 1828

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aby

verb \ ə-ˈbī \

variants: or abye

Definition of aby

transitive verb

archaic

: to suffer a penalty for

Origin and Etymology of aby

Middle English abien, abiggen, abuggen "to pay for, obtain at the cost of labor or suffering, redeem, pay a penalty for," from a-, weak perfective prefix (going back to Old English a-) + bien, biggen "to purchase, pay for" — more at abide, ¹buy

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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