aby

or a·bye

[ uh-bahy ]

/ əˈbaɪ /

verb (used with object), past and past participle a·bought.

Archaic. to pay the penalty of.

verb (used without object), past and past participle a·bought. Obsolete.

to endure; continue.

to undergo suffering as a penalty.

Nearby words

Origin of aby

before 1100; Middle English abyen, Old English ābycgan. See a-³, buy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aby

“Aby Rosen and the Mugrabis just bought ten pieces” he said.
The Coolest Works at Frieze|Anthony Haden-Guest|October 22, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Then there was a groan which struck even Aby's ear; but Sir Thomas was still alive and listening, and so he went on.
Castle Richmond|Anthony Trollope
At about noon on that day Aby was sitting by his father's bedside.
Castle Richmond|Anthony Trollope
Mark my words, Aby—that acting of yours will do your business.
Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 365, March, 1846|Various

Now it appeared to Aby that his father was at present in this condition.
Castle Richmond|Anthony Trollope
"Aby, was a good boy," said the mother; whose heart seemed constantly to revert to her dead son.
The Elm Tree Tales|F. Irene Burge Smith

British Dictionary definitions for aby

aby

abye

/ (əˈbaɪ) /

verb abys, abyes, abying or abought

(tr) archaic to pay the penalty for; redeem

Word Origin for aby

Old English ābycgan to pay for, atone for, from bycgan to buy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012