Stay1  —v. 1 continue in the same place or condition; not depart or change. 2 (often foll. By at, in, with) reside temporarily. 3 archaic or literary a stop or check. B (esp. In imper.) Pause. 4 postpone (judgement etc.). 5 assuage (hunger etc.), esp. Temporarily. —n. 1 act or period of staying. 2 suspension or postponement of a sentence, judgement, etc. 3 prop, support. 4 (in pl.) Hist. (esp. Boned) corset.  stay the course endure to the end. Stay in remain indoors. Stay the night remain overnight. Stay put colloq. Remain where it is placed or where one is. Stay up not go to bed (until late). [anglo-french from latin sto stand: sense 3 of n. From french, formed as *stay2]