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- Dictionarykeep/kiːp/
verb
- 1. have or retain possession of: "return one copy to me, keeping the other for your files"
- 2. cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course, etc.: "the guidance system keeps the machine on course" Similar
noun
- 1. food, clothes, and other essentials for living: "the Society are paying for your keep"
- 2. charge; control: archaic "if from shepherd's keep a lamb strayed far"
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1. a. : to retain in one's possession or power. kept the money we found. b. : to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing. kept the news back. c. : to have in control. keep your temper. 2. : to take notice of by appropriate conduct : fulfill: such as. a. : to be faithful to. keep a promise. b. : to act fittingly in relation to. keep the Sabbath.
KEEP definition: 1. to have or continue to have in your possession: 2. to own and manage a small shop: 3. If you…. Learn more.
Keep (a common word) and retain (a more formal one) agree in meaning to continue to have or hold, as opposed to losing, parting with, or giving up: to keep a book for a week. To reserve is to keep for some future use, occasion, or recipient, or to hold back for a time: to reserve judgment.
[transitive] keep something to continue to have something and not give it back or throw it away. He kept all her letters. She handed the waiter a hundred dollar bill and told him to keep the change. Always keep a backup of the file. Take your English to the next level.
Keep has many senses in English, and shows up in a lot of our common expressions, like “keep out!" and " keep your shirt on!" The word generally has the senses of hold onto, maintain, stay, continue, or protect from harm.
1. To retain possession of: kept the change; must keep your composure. 2. To have as a supply: keep spare parts in case of emergency. 3. a. To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support: "There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley). b. To support (a mistress or lover) financially. 4.
KEEP definition: 1. to have something permanently or for the whole of a period of time: 2. to regularly store…. Learn more.