the financial means whereby one lives; each child was expected to pay for their keep; he applied to the state for support; he could no longer earn his own livelihood
[ Syn: support , livelihood , living , bread and butter , sustenance ]
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
a cell in a jail or prison
[ Syn: hold ]
keep (n.)
keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., keep clean; hold in place; She always held herself as a lady; The students keep me on my toes
allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature; We cannot continue several servants any longer; She retains a lawyer; The familys fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff; Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on; We kept the work going as long as we could; She retained her composure; this garment retains its shape even after many washings
supply with necessities and support; She alone sustained her family; The money will sustain our good cause; Theres little to earn and many to keep
fail to spoil or rot; These potatoes keep for a long time
[ Syn: stay fresh ]
behave as expected during of holidays or rites; Keep the commandments; celebrate Christmas; Observe Yom Kippur
keep under control; keep in check; suppress a smile; Keep your temper; keep your cool
maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger; May God keep you
[ Syn: preserve ]
raise; She keeps a few chickens in the yard; he keeps bees'
retain rights to; keep my job for me while I give birth; keep my seat, please; keep open the possibility of a merger
store or keep customarily; Where do you keep your gardening tools?'
have as a supply; I always keep batteries in the freezer; keep food for a week in the pantry; She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator'
continue a certain state, condition, or activity; Keep on working!; We continued to work into the night; Keep smiling; We went on working until well past midnight
maintain for use and service; I keep a car in the countryside; She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
[ Syn: maintain ]
hold and prevent from leaving; The student was kept after school'
prevent (food) from rotting; preserved meats; keep potatoes fresh
[ Syn: preserve ]
retain possession of; Can I keep my old stuffed animals?; She kept her maiden name after she married
[ Syn: hold on ]
stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state; We must prevent the cancer from spreading; His snoring kept me from falling asleep; Keep the child from eating the marbles
[ Syn: prevent ]
conform ones action or practice to; keep appointments; she never keeps her promises; We kept to the original conditions of the contract
[ Syn: observe ]
stick to correctly or closely; The pianist kept time with the metronome; keep count; I cannot keep track of all my employees
look after; be the keeper of; have charge of; He keeps the shop when I am gone'
maintain by writing regular records; keep a diary; maintain a record; keep notes
[ Syn: maintain ]
supply with room and board; He is keeping three women in the guest cottage; keep boarders'