Stay (stā), v. i. [√163. See Stay to hold up, prop.] 1. To remain; to continue in a place; to abide fixed for a space of time; to stop; to stand still.
She would command the hasty sun to stay. Spenser.
Stay, I command you; stay and hear me first. Dryden.
I stay a little longer, as one stays
To cover up the embers that still burn. Longfellow.
2. To continue in a state.
The flames augment, and stay
At their full height, then languish to decay. Dryden.
3. To wait; to attend; to forbear to act.
I 'll tell thee all my whole device
When I am in my coach, which stays for us. Shak.
The father can not stay any longer for the fortune. Locke.
4. To dwell; to tarry; to linger.
I must stay a little on one action. Dryden.
5. To rest; to depend; to rely; to stand; to insist.
I stay here on my bond. Shak.
Ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon. Isa. xxx. 12.
6. To come to an end; to cease; as, that day the storm stayed.
Here my commission stays. Shak.
7. To hold out in a race or other contest; as, a horse stays well.
8. (Naut.) To change tack, as a ship.