stay

1 : a large strong rope usually of wire used to support a mast

2 : guy entry 2

1 : to secure upright with or as if with stays

2 : to incline (a mast) forward, aft, or to one side by the stays

1 : to stop going forward : pause

2 : to stop doing something : cease

3 : to continue in a place or condition : remain stayed up all night went for a short vacation but stayed on for weeks stay put till I come back

4 : to stand firm

5 : to take up residence : lodge

6 : to keep even in a contest or rivalry stay with the leaders

7 : to call a poker bet without raising

8 obsolete : to be in waiting or attendance

1 : to wait for : await

2 : to stick or remain with (a race, a trial of endurance, etc.) to the end —usually used in the phrase stay the course

3 : to remain during stayed the whole time

2 obsolete : self-control, moderation

3 : a residence or sojourn in a place

4 : capacity for endurance

1 : one that serves as a prop : support

2 : a thin firm strip (as of plastic) used for stiffening a garment or part (such as a shirt collar)

3 : a corset stiffened with bones —usually used in plural

1 : to provide physical or moral support for : sustain

2 : to fix on something as a foundation