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.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of aby

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

Words nearby aby

abv., abvd, abvolt, abwatt, abwehr, aby, abydos, abyla, abysm, abysmal, abyss
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for abye

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