- OF. estayer, F. étayer to prop, fr. OF. estai, F. étai, a prop, probably fr. OD. stadestaeye, a prop, akin to E. stead; or cf. stay a rope to support a mast. Cf. Staida.Stayv. i.
- To stop from motion or falling; to prop; to fix firmly; to hold up; to support.Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side.Sallows and reeds . . . for vineyards useful found To stay thy vines.
- To support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time.He has devoured a whole loaf of bread and butter, and it has not staid his stomach for a minute.
- To bear up under; to endure; to support; to resist successfully.She will not stay the siege of loving terms, Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes.
- To hold from proceeding; to withhold; to restrain; to stop; to hold.Him backward overthrew and down him stayed With their rude hands and grisly grapplement.All that may stay their minds from thinking that true which they heartily wish were false.
- To hinder; to delay; to detain; to keep back.Your ships are stayed at Venice.This business staid me in London almost a week.I was willing to stay my reader on an argument that appeared to me new.
- To remain for the purpose of; to wait for.Istaydinner there.
- To cause to cease; to put an end to.Stay your strife.For flattering planets seemed to say This child should ills of ages stay.
- EnginTo fasten or secure with stays; as, to stay a flat sheet in a steam boiler.
- NautTo tack, as a vessel, so that the other side of the vessel shall be presented to the wind.
