keep English · revision 1779

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000|origins=gem-pro *kōpijaną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kiːp/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|kepen]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995) [[inh|ang|cēpan|t=to seize, hold; to observe, heed; to seek]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1995) from [[gem-pro|*kōpijaną]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) which is of uncertain origin.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) It is possibly related to Old English [[m|ang|capian|t=to look]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) which is cognate with [[osx|kapōn|t=to look]], [[goh|chapfēn|t=to look]] and [[non|kōpa|t=to stare, gape]];^(Barnhart 1995)^(MWU 2024)^(Klein 1966) Barnhart traces these to [[ine-pro|*ĝab-|t=to watch, look out for]].^(Barnhart 1988) If so, the basic sense would be “to keep an eye on, see to it”, since ''cēpan'' was used about 1000 to render [[la|observāre|t=to watch, take note of]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Hoad and Weekley, however, find no certain cognates,^(Hoad 1986)^(Weekley 1921) and the Shorter Oxford, the Concise Oxford and the New Oxford call it of unknown origin.^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004)^(NODE 1998) The noun is from the verb.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In late Old English, to seize, lay hold of; to seek after; to take note of, observe; to watch for (about 1000).^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The OED's editor James Murray judged that the word probably belonged at first to the vulgar, non-literary language, since it appears suddenly in literary use about 1000 already in many senses;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) he took the original sense to be “to lay hold”, extended figuratively to “keep an eye on, watch”.^(Barnhart 1988) Its development was influenced by its use to render Latin ''servāre'' and its compounds (''observāre'', ''reservāre'').^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1988) The early senses “seize”, “seek” and “watch for” died out in Middle English,^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989) while new ones multiplied: “to guard, defend” (12th century), “to restrain” (early 13th), “to take care of, protect” (mid-13th), “to maintain” a shop (mid-14th), “to keep secret” and “to last without spoiling” (late 14th), and “to continue” doing something (mid-15th).^(Etymonline) The intransitive senses come from earlier reflexive uses, as in ''keep (oneself) silent''.^(Weekley 1921) To keep accounts or a diary dates from 1552,^(HTOED) and to keep goods in stock from 1707.^(HTOED) The sense “to dwell, live” is recorded in Middle English and survived in Cambridge University use;^(Weekley 1921)^(Hoad 1986) Bartlett noted the American shortening of ''keep shop'' to ''keep'', as in “Where do you keep now?”^(Bartlett 1848) The noun first meant “care, heed” (about 1250), surviving in Spenser's ''take no keep'';^(Etymonline)^(Skeat & Mayhew 1914) “the central tower of a castle” dates from the 1580s, perhaps translating [[it|tenazza]],^(Etymonline)^(Weekley 1921) though Weekley found it in Leland about 1540 and as a surname in the 13th century.^(Weekley 1921) “Food needed to maintain a person or animal” dates from 1801, and ''for keeps'' is American from 1861, probably from keeping one's winnings at marbles.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – Old English ''cēpan'', to seize; to observe.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1127 – ''kepen'', to watch for, observe, retain.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 12th century – to guard, defend.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1250 – noun, care, heed.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-14th century – to maintain a shop.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – to keep a secret; to last without spoiling.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – to continue doing something.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1552 – to keep accounts or records.^(HTOED)

+ * 1580s – the central tower of a castle.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1707 – to have in stock.^(HTOED)

+ * 1801 – noun, food and maintenance.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1861 – ''for keeps'' (US).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To retain possession of: ''keep the change''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To store in a usual place: ''where do you keep the saw?''^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To continue, or cause to continue, in a state, place or course: ''keep quiet'', ''keep left''.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # To continue doing something: ''kept talking''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To [[detain]] or delay; to hold back or [[restrain]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To provide for; to support financially: ''to keep a family''.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # To own and look after (animals); to manage or run (a shop).^(AHD)^(COED 2004)^(Chambers 2008)

+ # To make regular entries in: ''keep a diary''.^(AHD)^(Chambers 2008)

+ # To honour or fulfil (a promise); to observe (a custom or festival).^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # To guard or [[protect]].^(MW Collegiate)^(Chambers 2008)

+ # To keep secret: ''keep a secret''.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of food, to remain fresh.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # Food and other necessities of life; [[maintenance]]: ''earn one's keep''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The strongest central tower of a [[castle]]; a [[donjon]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Care, charge, custody.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[keepable]]

+ * [[keepability]]

+ * [[barkeep]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[keeper]]

+ * [[keepsake]]

+ * [[upkeep]]

+ * [[housekeeper]]

+ * [[kept]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary calls ''keep'' the most general of the verbs meaning to have and maintain in one's possession;^(AHD) ''retain'' means to continue to hold despite possible loss, ''withhold'' implies reluctance to give, and ''reserve'' to hold back for a later use.^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}