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im. 1 Sam. xxv. 15, 21. What by me thou hast lost, thou least shalt miss. Milton. To miss stays. (Naut.) See under Stay.

A rope or chain fitted around the masthead to hold hanging blocks for jibs and stays.

A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion. Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her occasions sly. Spenser. On occasion, in case of need; in necessity; as convenience requires; occasionally. "That we might have intelligence from him on occasion," De Foe.

cretion or choice; not compulsory; as, optional studies; it is optional with you to go or stay. -- n.

To dwell or stay beyond. [Poetic] "He outdwells his hour." Shak.

p. On or to the outside (of); without; on the exterior; as, to ride outside the coach; he stayed outside.

To remain sitting, or in session, longer than, or beyond the time of; to outstay.

To stay beyond. "I have outstood my time." Shak.

and wound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served; used, also, in mousing on the stayes, etc.

Sufferance; permission. [Obs.] Hooker. They stay upon your patience. Shak.

To stand firm; to be fixed and unmoved; to stay; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; -- sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or obstinacy. If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no l…

The quality or state of being persistent; staying or continuing quality; hence, in an unfavorable sense, doggedness; obstinacy.

Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose.

hat which resembles such a pillar in appearance, character, or office; a supporter or mainstay; as, the Pillars of Hercules; a pillar of the state. "You are a well-deserving pillar." Shak. By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire. Milton.

ance, fixed, or to be fixed, firmly in an upright position, especially when intended as a stay or support to something else; a pillar; as, a hitching post; a fence post; the posts of a house. They shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the houses. Ex. xii. 7. Then by m…

tes (Naut.), fixtures connected with preventers to reënforce other rigging. -- Preventer stay. (Naut.) Same as Preventer, 3.

ains an incumbent weight; that on which anything rests or leans for support; a support; a stay; as, a prop for a building. "Two props of virtue." Shak.

red to attend court, as party, juror, etc., intended to secure him from arrest in coming, staying, and returning.

To pass with violence or rapidity; to scrape along. Pas could not stay, but over him did rake. Sir P. Sidney.

Had rather, or Would rather, prefer to; prefers to; as, he had, or would, rather go than stay. "I had rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousands words in an unknown tongue." 1 Cor. xiv. 19. See Had rather, under Had.