obey
[oh-bey]
- to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of: to obey one's parents.
- to comply with or follow (a command, restriction, wish, instruction, etc.).
- (of things) to respond conformably in action to: The car obeyed the slightest touch of the steering wheel.
- to submit or conform in action to (some guiding principle, impulse, one's conscience, etc.).
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- to be obedient: to agree to obey.
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Origin of obey
1250–1300; Middle English obeien < Old French obeir < Latin oboedīre, equivalent to ob- ob- + audīre to hear; -oe- for expected -ū- is unclear
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
executeacceptobserveembraceheedsurrendercomplyrespondaccordaccedeconcuracquiesceperformservemindsubmitkeepdischargeanswerfollowExamples from the Web for obey
Contemporary Examples
Those advocating justice should first obey the rule of law themselves.
This argument is vital to a larger argument: Do we obey the rules set up to constrain government or not?
THE DISHONOR OF HONOR KILLINGS Imagine a young woman killed by her own relatives for failing to obey.
Lone Star LeadersOctober 24, 2014
No soldier is obliged to obey a law contrary to the law of God.
Why Pope Francis Wants to Declare Murdered Archbishop Romero a SaintChristopher Dickey
August 24, 2014
I continue to live here, work here, pay the taxes and obey the law.
Historical Examples
Your mother shall not see you; nor will I. Prepare however to obey.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
In a pinch they would obey you nearly as well as they obey me.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
Dearest Madam, forgive me: it was always my pride and my pleasure to obey you.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
All things are bound to obey Him, He is not bound to obey any.
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III]Benedict of Spinoza
"I obey directions," he said, bowing respectfully to Mr. Roberts.
Ester Ried Yet SpeakingIsabella Alden
obey
- to carry out (instructions or orders); comply with (demands)
- to behave or act in accordance with (one's feelings, whims, etc)
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French obéir, from Latin oboedīre, from ob- to, towards + audīre to hear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for obey
v.
late 13c., from Old French obeir "obey, be obedient, do one's duty" (12c.), from Latin obedire, oboedire "obey, be subject, serve; pay attention to, give ear," literally "listen to," from ob "to" (see ob-) + audire "listen, hear" (see audience). Same sense development is in cognate Old English hiersumnian. Related: Obeyed; obeying.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper