stays

1. Continuance or a period of time spent in a place; abode for an indefinite time; sojourn.

   I hope you enjoyed your stay in Hawaii.

2. A postponement, especially of an execution or other punishment.

   The governor granted a stay of execution.

3. A stop; a halt; a break or cessation of action, motion, or progress.

   stand at a stay

4. A fixed state; fixedness; stability; permanence.
5. A station or fixed anchorage for vessels.
6. Restraint of passion; prudence; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety.
7. Hindrance; let; check.

1. To prop; support; sustain; hold up; steady.
2. To support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time.
3. To stop; detain; keep back; delay; hinder.
4. To restrain; withhold; check; stop.
5. To cause to cease; to put an end to.
6. To put off; defer; postpone; delay; keep back.

   The governor stayed the execution until the appeal could be heard.

7. To hold the attention of.
8. To bear up under; to endure; to hold out against; to resist.
9. To wait for; await.
10. To remain for the purpose of; to stay to take part in or be present at (a meal, ceremony etc.).
11. To rest; depend; rely.
12. To stop; come to a stand or standstill.
13. To come to an end; cease.

    That day the storm stayed.

14. To dwell; linger; tarry; wait.
15. To make a stand; to stand firm.
16. To hold out, as in a race or contest; last or persevere to the end.

    That horse stays well.

17. To remain in a particular place, especially for a definite or short period of time; sojourn; abide.

    We stayed in Hawaii for a week.  I can only stay for an hour.

18. To wait; rest in patience or expectation.
19. (used with on or upon) To wait as an attendant; give ceremonious or submissive attendance.
20. To continue to have a particular quality.

    Wear gloves so your hands stay warm.

21. To live; reside

    Hey, where do you stay at?

1. A prop; a support.
2. A piece of stiff material, such as plastic or whalebone, used to stiffen a piece of clothing.

   Where are the stays for my collar?

3. (in the plural) A corset.
4. A fastening for a garment; a hook; a clasp; anything to hang another thing on.

1. A strong rope or wire supporting a mast, and leading from one masthead down to some other, or other part of the vessel.
2. A guy, rope, or wire supporting or stabilizing a platform, such as a bridge, a pole, such as a tentpole, the mast of a derrick, or other structural element.

   The engineer insisted on using stays for the scaffolding.

3. The transverse piece in a chain-cable link.

1. To brace or support with a stay or stays

   stay a mast

2. To incline forward, aft, or to one side by means of stays.
3. To tack; put on the other tack.

   to stay ship

4. To change; tack; go about; be in stays, as a ship.

noun

A corset.