1.  stay(n = noun.act) - continuing or remaining in a place or state; "they had a nice stay in Paris"; "a lengthy hospital stay"; "a four-month stay in bankruptcy court"
is a kind of act, deed, human action, human activity
has particulars: sojourn, visit, layover, stop, stopover
Derived forms verb stay₁, verb stay₂, verb stay₃, verb stay₄

2.  stay(n = noun.state) arrest, check, halt, hitch, stop, stoppage - the state of inactivity following an interruption; "the negotiations were in arrest"; "held them in check"; "during the halt he got some lunch"; "the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow"; "he spent the entire stop in his seat"
is a kind of inaction, inactiveness, inactivity
has particulars: countercheck, logjam

3.  stay(n = noun.communication) - a judicial order forbidding some action until an event occurs or the order is lifted; "the Supreme Court has the power to stay an injunction pending an appeal to the whole Court"
is a kind of decree, edict, fiat, order, rescript
has particulars: stay of execution
Derived forms verb stay₆, verb stay₉

4.  stay(n = noun.artifact) - a thin strip of metal or bone that is used to stiffen a garment (e.g. a corset);
is a kind of slip, strip
Derived form verb stay₁₀

5.  stay(n = noun.artifact) - (nautical) brace consisting of a heavy rope or wire cable used as a support for a mast or spar;
is a kind of brace, bracing
has particulars: backstay, forestay

1.  stay(v = verb.change) remain, rest - stay the same; remain in a certain state; "The dress remained wet after repeated attempts to dry it"; "rest assured"; "stay alone"; "He remained unmoved by her tears"; "The bad weather continued for another week"
is one way to be
Antonym: change
Derived form noun stay₁
Sample sentences: John will stay angry

2.  stay(v = verb.motion) stay put, stick, stick around - stay put (in a certain place); "We are staying in Detroit; we are not moving to Cincinnati"; "Stay put in the corner here!"; "Stick around and you will learn something!"
is one way to stay in place
Antonym: move
Derived form noun stay₁
Sample sentences: Something ----s; Somebody ----s; Something is ----ing PP; Somebody ----s PP

3.  stay(v = verb.stative) abide, bide - dwell; "You can stay with me while you are in town"; "stay a bit longer--the day is still young"
is one way to continue, remain, stay, stay on
Derived form noun stay₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s PP

4.  stay(v = verb.stative) continue, remain, stay on - continue in a place, position, or situation; "After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviser"; "Stay with me, please"; "despite student protests, he remained Dean for another year"; "She continued as deputy mayor for another year"
is one way to be
Derived form noun stay₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s PP

5.  stay(v = verb.motion) - remain behind; "I had to stay at home and watch the children"
Antonym: depart
Sample sentences: Something ----s; Somebody ----s; Something is ----ing PP; Somebody ----s PP

6.  stay(v = verb.change) delay, detain - stop or halt; "Please stay the bloodshed!"
is one way to check, delay, retard
Derived form noun stay₃
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

7.  stay(v = verb.stative) persist, remain - stay behind; "The smell stayed in the room"; "The hostility remained long after they made up"
Sample sentences: Something ----s; Something is ----ing PP

8.  stay(v = verb.stative) last out, outride, ride out - hang on during a trial of endurance; "ride out the storm"
Derived form noun stayer₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

9.  stay(v = verb.social) - stop a judicial process; "The judge stayed the execution order"
is one way to block, halt, kibosh, stop
Derived form noun stay₃
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

10.  stay(v = verb.contact) - fasten with stays;
is one way to fasten, fix, secure
Derived form noun stay₄
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s something PP

11.  stay(v = verb.consumption) appease, quell - overcome or allay; "quell my hunger"
is one way to fill, fulfil, fulfill, meet, satisfy
Sample sentences: Something ----s; Something ----s somebody

   A large, strong rope, employed to support a mast, by being extended from the head of one mast down to some other, or to some part of the vessel. Those which lead forward are called fore-and-aft stays; those which lead to the vessel's side are called backstays. See Illust. of Ship. [1913 Webster]

1.  To stop from motion or falling; to prop; to fix firmly; to hold up; to support. [1913 Webster]
"Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side." [1913 Webster]
"Sallows and reeds . . . for vineyards useful found
To stay thy vines." [1913 Webster]

2.  To support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time. [1913 Webster]
"He has devoured a whole loaf of bread and butter, and it has not staid his stomach for a minute." [1913 Webster]

3.  To bear up under; to endure; to support; to resist successfully. [1913 Webster]
"She will not stay the siege of loving terms,
Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes." [1913 Webster]

4.  To hold from proceeding; to withhold; to restrain; to stop; to hold. [1913 Webster]
"Him backward overthrew and down him stayed
With their rude hands and grisly grapplement." [1913 Webster]
"All that may stay their minds from thinking that true which they heartily wish were false." [1913 Webster]

5.  To hinder; to delay; to detain; to keep back. [1913 Webster]
"Your ships are stayed at Venice." [1913 Webster]
"This business staid me in London almost a week." [1913 Webster]
"I was willing to stay my reader on an argument that appeared to me new." [1913 Webster]

6.  To remain for the purpose of; to wait for. Shak. [1913 Webster]

7.  To cause to cease; to put an end to. [1913 Webster]
"Stay your strife." [1913 Webster]
"For flattering planets seemed to say
This child should ills of ages stay." [1913 Webster]

8.  To fasten or secure with stays; as, to stay a flat sheet in a steam boiler. [1913 Webster]

9.  To tack, as a vessel, so that the other side of the vessel shall be presented to the wind. [1913 Webster]

1.  To remain; to continue in a place; to abide fixed for a space of time; to stop; to stand still. [1913 Webster]
"She would command the hasty sun to stay." [1913 Webster]
"Stay, I command you; stay and hear me first." [1913 Webster]
"I stay a little longer, as one stays
To cover up the embers that still burn." [1913 Webster]

2.  To continue in a state. [1913 Webster]
"The flames augment, and stay
At their full height, then languish to decay." [1913 Webster]

3.  To wait; to attend; to forbear to act. [1913 Webster]
"I 'll tell thee all my whole device
When I am in my coach, which stays for us." [1913 Webster]
"The father can not stay any longer for the fortune." [1913 Webster]

4.  To dwell; to tarry; to linger. [1913 Webster]
"I must stay a little on one action." [1913 Webster]

5.  To rest; to depend; to rely; to stand; to insist. [1913 Webster]
"I stay here on my bond." [1913 Webster]
"Ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon." [1913 Webster]

6.  To come to an end; to cease; as, that day the storm stayed. [1913 Webster]
"Here my commission stays." [1913 Webster]

7.  To hold out in a race or other contest; as, a horse stays well. [1913 Webster]

8.  To change tack, as a ship. [1913 Webster]

1.  That which serves as a prop; a support. Milton. [1913 Webster]
"Trees serve as so many stays for their vines." [1913 Webster]
"Lord Liverpool is the single stay of this ministry." [1913 Webster]

2.  A corset stiffened with whalebone or other material, worn by women, and rarely by men. [1913 Webster]
"How the strait stays the slender waist constrain." [1913 Webster]

3.  Continuance in a place; abode for a space of time; sojourn; as, you make a short stay in this city. [1913 Webster]
"Make haste, and leave thy business and thy care;
No mortal interest can be worth thy stay." [1913 Webster]
"Embrace the hero and his stay implore." [1913 Webster]

4.  Cessation of motion or progression; stand; stop. [1913 Webster]
"Made of sphere metal, never to decay
Until his revolution was at stay." [1913 Webster]
"Affairs of state seemed rather to stand at a stay." [1913 Webster]

5.  Hindrance; let; check. [1913 Webster]
"They were able to read good authors without any stay, if the book were not false." [1913 Webster]

6.  Restraint of passion; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety. Herbert. [1913 Webster]
"The wisdom, stay, and moderation of the king." [1913 Webster]
"With prudent stay he long deferred
The rough contention." [1913 Webster]

7.  Strictly, a part in tension to hold the parts together, or stiffen them. [1913 Webster]

stay, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. continue to be in the same place or condition; not depart or change (stay here until I come back).
2 intr. a (often foll. by at, in, with) have temporary residence as a visitor etc. (stayed with them for Christmas). b Sc. & S.Afr. dwell permanently.
3 archaic or literary a tr. stop or check (progress, the inroads of a disease, etc.). b intr. (esp. in imper.) pause in movement, action, speech, etc. (Stay! You forget one thing).
4 tr. postpone (judgement, decision, etc.).
5 tr. assuage (hunger etc.) esp. for a short time.
6 a intr. show endurance. b tr. show endurance to the end of (a race etc.).
7 tr. (often foll. by up) literary support, prop up (as or with a buttress etc.).
8 intr. (foll. by for, to) wait long enough to share or join in an activity etc. (stay to supper; stay for the film).
--n.
1 a the act or an instance of staying or dwelling in one place. b the duration of this (just a ten-minute stay; a long stay in London).
2 a suspension or postponement of a sentence, judgement, etc. (was granted a stay of execution).
3 archaic or literary a check or restraint (will endure no stay; a stay upon his activity).
4 endurance, staying power.
5 a prop or support.
6 (in pl.) hist. a corset esp. with whalebone etc. stiffening, and laced.

Idiom:
has come (or is here) to stay colloq. must be regarded as permanent. stay-at-home adj. remaining habitually at home.
--n. a person who does this. stay-bar (or -rod) a support used in building or in machinery. stay the course pursue a course of action or endure a struggle etc. to the end. stay one's hand see HAND. stay in remain indoors or at home, esp. in school after hours as a punishment. staying power endurance, stamina. stay-in strike = sit-down strike. stay the night remain until the next day. stay put colloq. remain where it is placed or where one is. stay up not go to bed (until late at night).

Derivative:
stayer n.

stay, n. & v.
--n.
1 Naut. a rope or guy supporting a mast, spar, flagstaff, etc.
2 a tie-piece in an aircraft etc.
--v.tr.
1 support (a mast etc.) by stays.
2 put (a ship) on another tack.

Idiom:
be in stays (of a sailing ship) be head to the wind while tacking. miss stays fail to be in stays.

Etymology:
OE st{aelig}g be firm, f. Gmc

VB  exist, be, have being, subsist, live, breathe, stand, obtain, be the case, occur, have place, prevail, find oneself, pass the time, vegetate, consist in, lie in, be comprised in, be contained in, be constituted by, come into existence, arise, come forth, become, bring into existence, abide, continue, endure, last, remain, stay.

N  repose, rest, silken repose, sleep, relaxation, breathing time, halt, stay, pause, respite, day of rest, dies non, Sabbath, Lord's day, holiday, red-letter day, vacation, recess, reposing, relaxed, unstrained, unstressed, at rest, The best of men have ever loved repose, to repair our nature with comforting repose.

N  hindrance, prevention, preclusion, obstruction, stoppage, embolus, embolism, infarct, interruption, interception, interclusion, hindrance, impedition, retardment, retardation, embarrassment, oppilation, coarctation, stricture, restriction, restraint, inhibition, blockade, interference, interposition, obtrusion, discouragement, discountenance, impediment, let, obstacle, obstruction, knot, knag, check, hitch, contretemps, screw loose, grit in the oil, bar, stile, barrier, turnstile, turnpike, gate, portcullis, beaver dam, trocha, barricade, wall, dead wall, sea wall, levee breakwater, groyne, bulkhead, block, buffer, stopper, boom, dam, weir, burrock, drawback, objection, stumbling-block, stumbling-stone, lion in the path, snag, snags and sawyers, encumbrance, incumbrance, clog, skid, shoe, spoke, drag, drag chain, drag weight, stay, stop, preventive, prophylactic, load, burden, fardel, onus, millstone round one's neck, impedimenta, dead weight, lumber, pack, nightmare, Ephialtes, incubus, old man of the sea, remora, difficulty, insuperable, obstacle, estoppel, ill wind, head wind, trammel, tether, hold back, counterpoise, damper, wet blanket, hinderer, marplot, killjoy, party pooper, party crasher, interloper, trail of a red herring, opponent, hindering, obstructive, obstruent, impeditive, impedient, intercipient, prophylactic, impedimentary, in the way of, unfavorable, onerous, burdensome, cumbrous, cumbersome, obtrusive, hindered, windbound, waterlogged, heavy laden, hard pressed, unassisted &c (assist), single-handed, alone, deserted, occurrent nubes.

VB  hinder, impede, filibuster, impedite, embarrass, keep off, stave off, ward off, obviate, avert, antevert, turn aside, draw off, prevent, forefend, nip in the bud, retard, slacken, check, let, counteract, countercheck, preclude, debar, foreclose, estop, inhibit, shackle, restrict, obstruct, stop, stay, bar, bolt, lock, block, block up, choke off, belay, barricade, block the way, bar the way, stop the way, forelay, dam up, put on the brake, scotch the wheel, lock the wheel, put a spoke in the wheel, put a stop to, traverse, contravene, interrupt, intercept, oppose, hedge in, hedge round, cut off, inerclude, interpose, interfere, intermeddle, cramp, hamper, clog, clog the wheels, cumber, encumber, incumber, handicap, choke, saddle with, load with, overload, lay, lumber, trammel, tie one's hands, put to inconvenience, incommode, discommode, discompose, hustle, corner, drive into a corner, run foul of, fall foul of, cross the path of, break in upon, thwart, frustrate, disconcert, balk, foil, faze, feaze, feeze, baffle, snub, override, circumvent, defeat, spike guns, spoil, mar, clip the wings of, cripple, put an extinguisher on, damp, dishearten, discountenance, throw cold water on, spoil sport, lay a wet blanket, throw a wet blanket on, cut the ground from under one, take the wind out of one's sails, undermine, be in the way of, stand in the way of, act as a drag, hang like a millstone round one's neck.

VB  be late, tarry, wait, stay, bide, take time, dawdle, linger, loiter, bide one's time, take one's time, gain time, hang fire, stand over, lie over, put off, defer, delay, lay over, suspend, table, shift off, stave off, waive, retard, remand, postpone, adjourn, procrastinate, dally, prolong, protract, spin out, draw out, lengthen out, stretch out, prorogue, keep back, tide over, push to the last, drive to the last, let the matter stand over, reserve, temporize, consult one's pillow, sleep on it, lose an opportunity, be kept waiting, dance attendance, kick one's heels, cool one's heels, faire antichambre, wait impatiently, await, sit up, sit up at night.

VB  let alone, let be, let it be, persist, remain, stay, tarry, rest, stet (copy editing) hold, hold on, last, endure, bide, abide, aby, dwell, maintain, keep, stand, stand still, stand fast, subsist, live, outlive, survive, hold one's ground, keep one's ground, hold one's footing, keep one's footing, hold good.

VB  cease, discontinue, desist, stay, halt, break off, leave off, hold, stop, pull up, stop short, stick, hang fire, halt, pause, rest, burn out, blow out, melt down, have done with, give over, surcease, shut up shop, give up, hold one's hand, stay one's hand, rest on one's oars repose on one's laurels, come to a stand, come to a standstill, come to a deadlock, come to a full stop, arrive, go out, die away, wear away, wear off, pass away, be at an end, disintegrate, self-destruct, intromit, interrupt, suspend, interpel, intermit, remit, put an end to, put a stop to, put a period to, derail, turn off, switch off, power down, deactivate, disconnect, bring to a stand, bring to a standstill, stop, cut short, arrest, stem the tide, stem the torrent, pull the check-string, pull the plug on, Int, hold!, stop!, enough!, avast!, have done!, a truce to!, soft!, leave off!, tenez!.

VB  exist in space, be present, assister, make one of, make one at, look on, attend, remain, find oneself, present oneself, show one's face, fall in the way of, occur in a place, lie, stand, occupy, be there, people, inhabit, dwell, reside, stay, sojourn, live, abide, lodge, nestle, roost, perch, take up one's abode, tenant, resort to, frequent, haunt, revisit, fill, pervade, permeate, be diffused, be disseminated, be through, over spread, overrun, run through, meet one at every turn.

N  support, ground, foundation, base, basis, terra firma, bearing, fulcrum, bait, caudex crib, point d'appui, pou sto, purchase footing, hold, locus standi, landing place, landing stage, stage, platform, block, rest, resting place, groundwork, substratum, riprap, sustentation, subvention, floor, supporter, aid, prop, stand, anvil, fulciment, cue rest, jigger, monkey, stay, shore, skid, rib, truss, bandage, sleeper, stirrup, stilts, shoe, sole, heel, splint, lap, bar, rod, boom, sprit, outrigger, ratlings, staff, stick, crutch, alpenstock, baton, staddle, bourdon, cowlstaff, lathi, mahlstick, post, pillar, shaft, thill, column, pilaster, pediment, pedicle, pedestal, plinth, shank, leg, socle, zocle, buttress, jamb, mullion, abutment, baluster, banister, stanchion, balustrade, headstone, upright, door post, jamb, door jamb, frame, framework, scaffold, skeleton, beam, rafter, girder, lintel, joist, travis, trave, corner stone, summer, transom, rung, round, step, sill, angle rafter, hip rafter, cantilever, modillion, crown post, king post, vertebra, columella, backbone, keystone, axle, axletree, axis, arch, mainstay, trunnion, pivot, rowlock, peg, tiebeam, thole pin, board, ledge, shelf, hob, bracket, trevet, trivet, arbor, rack, mantel, mantle piece, mantleshelf, slab, console, counter, dresser, flange, corbel, table, trestle, shoulder, perch, horse, easel, desk, clotheshorse, hatrack, retable, teapoy, seat, throne, dais, divan, musnud, chair, bench, form, stool, sofa, settee, stall, arm chair, easy chair, elbow chair, rocking chair, couch, fauteuil, woolsack, ottoman, settle, squab, bench, aparejo, faldstool, horn, long chair, long sleeve chair, morris chair, lamba chauki, lamba kursi, saddle, pannel, pillion, side saddle, pack saddle, pommel, bed, berth, pallet, tester, crib, cot, hammock, shakedown, trucklebed, cradle, litter, stretcher, bedstead, four poster, French bed, bunk, kip, palang, bedding, bichhona, mattress, paillasse, pillow, bolster, mat, rug, cushion, footstool, hassock, tabouret, tripod, monopod, Atlas, Persides, Atlantes, Caryatides, Hercules, supporting, supported, fundamental, dorsigerous, astride on, straddle.

VB  be quiescent, stand still, lie still, keep quiet, repose, hold the breath, remain, stay, stand, lie to, ride at anchor, remain in situ, tarry, mark time, bring to, heave to, lay to, pull up, draw up, hold, halt, stop, stop short, rest, pause, anchor, cast to an anchor, come to an anchor, rest on one's oars, repose on one's laurels, take breath, stop, stagnate, quieta non movere, let alone, abide, rest and be thankful, keep within doors, stay at home, go to bed, dwell, settle, alight, stick, stick fast, stand like a post, not stir a peg, not stir a step, be at a stand, quell, becalm, hush, stay, lull to sleep, lay an embargo on, be quiescent, stand still, lie still, keep quiet, repose, hold the breath, remain, stay, stand, lie to, ride at anchor, remain in situ, tarry, mark time, bring to, heave to, lay to, pull up, draw up, hold, halt, stop, stop short, rest, pause, anchor, cast to an anchor, come to an anchor, rest on one's oars, repose on one's laurels, take breath, stop, stagnate, quieta non movere, let alone, abide, rest and be thankful, keep within doors, stay at home, go to bed, dwell, settle, alight, stick, stick fast, stand like a post, not stir a peg, not stir a step, be at a stand, quell, becalm, hush, stay, lull to sleep, lay an embargo on.

stay at, stay away, stay fresh, stay in line, stay in place, stay of execution, stay off, stay on, stay over, stay put, stay together, stay up