# abay

CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abay
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

to wait for someone or something, or to stay in a place for a while. It is an old-fashioned word that you will mostly see in very old books or poems.

For teachers: to wait for, expect, or remain in anticipation. Primarily archaic or poetic in register; it can function both transitively and intransitively.

## Examples

- The knight decided to abay his master's return.
- In the ancient tale, the faithful servant chose to abay at the castle gates until the sun finally set.
- The poet describes a soul forced to abay the final judgment, lingering in a silent space where time itself seems to have ceased its forward motion.

## Usage notes

- When used transitively, it takes a direct object representing the person or event being waited for.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.