to abide by

Abide \A*bide"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Abode}, formerly {Abid};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Abiding}.] [AS. [=a]b[imac]dan; pref. [=a]-
   (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + b[imac]dan to
   bide. See {Bide}.]
   1. To wait; to pause; to delay. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   2. To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to
      dwell; to sojourn; -- with with before a person, and
      commonly with at or in before a place.
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            Let the damsel abide with us a few days. --Gen.
                                                  xxiv. 55.
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   3. To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to
      continue; to remain.
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            Let every man abide in the same calling. --1 Cor.
                                                  vii. 20.
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   {To abide by}.
      (a) To stand to; to adhere; to maintain.
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                The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by
                what he said at first.            --Fielding.
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      (b) To acquiesce; to conform to; as, to abide by a
          decision or an award.
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