Also 6 stey, staie, staye. [f. STAY v.1]
1. The action of stopping or bringing to a stand or pause; the fact of being brought to a stand or delayed; a stoppage, arrest or suspension of action; a check, set-back.
1537. Hen. VIII., in St. Papers (1834), II. 423. Sithens the first stey of the violence of the late rebellion of the said Thomas Fytzgarald.
1550. Crowley, Last Trumpet, 283. As men that woulde never fynde stay, Tyll all the earth were in theyr hand.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, II. vi. (1895), 214. In lesse than iii yeres space their was nothing in the Grek tonge that they lackede. They were able to reade good authors wythout anny staye [L. inoffense].
1594. Spenser, Epithal., 250. Poure out the wine without restraint or stay.
1594. Kyd, Cornelia, II. 351. Fraile men … Had neuer power to practise stayes Of this celestiall influence.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Vicissitude (Arb.), 572. As farre, as the Weaknesse of Humane Iudgement, can giue stay to so great Reuolutions.
1628. Digby, Voy. Mediterr. (Camden), 2. To protect the skipper from a like stay againe if he should meete with other men of warre in his iorney to London.
1640. in Rushworth, Hist. Coll., III. (1692), I. 164. That there be a stay of committing any waste in the felling of any Wood.
1810. Scott, Lady of L., V. xxi. Whose fiery steeds ill brooked the stay Of the steep street and crowded way.
1842. Macaulay, Horatius, lxiii. But for this stay, ere close of day We should have sacked the town.
1862. Borrow, Wild Wales, III. 99. A conqueror who no stay will brook.
1886. Pall Mall Gaz., 9 Sept., 12/1. It is hard to see what decent case Mr. Parnell will be able to make out for that stay upon the right of eviction which forms a provision of his bill.
1898. Daily News, 22 Sept., 4/5. Our Special Correspondent suggests as a practicable minimum the stay of armaments for five years.
b. Law. Suspension of a judicial proceeding.
1542. in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), App. III. i. 125. The Wardeyns of the Surgeons … to be here the next Court day … for the Stey of theyr sute in the Escheker.
c. 1590. Sir T. More (Malone Soc.), 603. Some of the Benche Sir, think it very fit that stay be made, and giue it out abroade the execution is deferd till morning.
1617. Earl of Worcester, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 208. There was a letter … for the stay of a suit depending in the Chancery.
1621. Elsing, Debates Ho. Lords (Camden), 31. Whether Yelverton made a stay of the last patent, and the reason why he past yt?
1743. Kames, Decis. Crt. Sess. 1730–52 (1799), 67. This … makes it necessary for the charger to get the stay to his diligence removed.
1752. J. Louthian, Form of Process (ed. 2), 214. And then asks her, What she can say for herself in stay of Execution.
1769. Blackstone, Comm., IV. viii. 115. To obtain any stay of proceedings, other than by arrest of judgment or writ of error,… is likewise a praemunire.
1856. Ann. Reg., Chron., 65/2. The prisoner’s counsel then moved for a stay of execution.
1875. Maine, Hist. Instit., x. 281. The Distress when seized was in certain cases liable to a Stay.
† c. To make stay of: to put a stop to (an action); to arrest (a person); to intercept (goods, etc.) in transit; to stop the circulation of (a book).
1572. in 13th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. IV. 12. To make staie of suche frebutters, rovers and men of warre with their shipes and boates.
1586. F. Grevil, Lett., in Arber, Garner, I. 488. I think fit there be made stay of that mercenary book.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., I. xxi. 119. Whereupon hee wrote unto the Lord Deputie this ensuing Letter, making stay of the Lord Awdley untill he should receiue answer thereof.
1642. Declar. Lds. & Comm. conc. Necess. Kingd., 7 Jan., 3. Stay is made of their Cole-ships.
1647. May, Hist. Parl., II. iv. 73. They should take special care to make stay of all Arms and Ammunition carrying towards York.
1648. Heylin, Relat. & Observ., I. 121. Major Generall Lambert had made stay of a Scotish Gentleman.
1654. E. Johnson, Wonder-wrkg. Provid., 12. He will ease you of your burden by making stay of any farther resort unto you.
† d. concr. An appliance for stopping. Obs.
1523–34. Fitzherb., Husb., § 3. The plough-fote … is a staye to order of what depenes the ploughe shall go.
† 2. Control; restraint; self-control. Obs.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., xiii. 15. Stey in him selfe he toke.
1561. Norton & Sackv., Gorboduc, I. ii. 307. That they, restreyned by the awe of you, May live in compasse of well tempred staye.
1596. Danett, trans. Comines (1614), 218. Yet was it much that he had such stay of himselfe.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 14. Well showing and fore-tokening the wisdome, stay, and moderation of the Kings spirit of Gouernment.
3. A coming to a stand; a cessation of progress or action; a stop, pause, halt. Phr. to make (a) stay.
c. 1530. Jyl of Brentford’s Test. (1871), 14. Now hold your hand, and make a stay there.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., III. viii. 82 b. Trauailing both day and night without any rest or stay.
1586. Lett. to Earl Leycester, 6. She might by the stay thereof, procure the heauie displeasure of Almightie God.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., V. i. 428. Trip away, make no stay.
1598. Florio, Falchi, are staies when a horse doth rest vpon his hinder parts.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., 262. Among whome there was now no hoe nor stay at all of their hands.
1609. Bible (Douay), Josh. x. 12, marg. Josue did thinke if the moone moued the sunne also must necessarily moue so he obtained the stay of both.
1616. R. C., Times’ Whistle (1871), 76. Yet fond man Runnes in this gulfe of sinne without all stay.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Pulley, ii. When almost all was out, God made a stay.
a. 1637. Spottiswoode, Hist. Ch. Scot. (1851), II. 62. It was night before they came thither … because of the stays she made by the way.
1641. J. Taylor (Water P.), Last Voy., A 6. With many stops, stayes, and taking leaves, wee gat to Oatlands at night.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 43. At last he commands a stay.
1659. Hammond, On Psalms cx. 7. 566. Souldiers … that are thirsty, but will not make stay at an Inne.
a. 1721. Prior, Epigr. Bp. Atterbury, i. Without stop or stay,… make the best of your way.
1805. Wordsw., Waggoner, I. 36. And up the craggy hill ascending Many a stop and stay he makes.
1843. Ruskin, Mod. Painters, I. II. III. i. § 8. We can plunge far and farther, and without stay or end, into the profundity of space.
† b. A cessation of hostility or dissension. Also, a means of reconciliation. Obs.
1563. Homilies, II. xii. Nativity, A aaa j. A Messias, or mediatour,… whiche shoulde make intercession, and put him selfe as a staye betwene both partes, to pacifie the wrath and indignation conceaued agaynst sinne, and [etc.].
1599. Sandys, Europæ Spec. (1632), 172. If any stay or agreement could bee taken with the Turke, all Germany were in daunger to bee in uprore within it selfe by intestine dissention.
† c. Astr. Stay of the sun = SOLSTICE. Obs.
1538. Elyot, Dict., Solstitium, the stay of the sonne, whan he can not be eyther hygher or lower.
1555. Eden, Decades, I. II. (Arb.), 72. In no place towarde the stay of the sonne (cauled Solsticium) can the night be equall with the day.
† d. Mus. = PAUSE sb. 3 b. Obs.
1667. C. Simpson, Compend. Pract. Mus., 25. This Mark or Arch ⩀ … is also set … over certain particular Notes in the middle of Songs, when (for humour) we are to insist or stay a little upon the said Notes; and thereupon it is called a Stay, or Hold.
† e. A stop, sign in punctuation; the pause indicated by a stop. Obs.
1596. Coote, Engl. School-m., v. (1627), 26. Those which we do call points or stayes in writing, as this marke (,) … noteth a small stay: two pricks thus (:) makes a longer stay; and one prick thus (.) is put for a ful stay.
† 4. Delay, postponement, waiting. To make stay of: to withhold for a time; to postpone. Obs.
1530. Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), I. 329. Your chauncelour shall do the semblable in another request made by his Maiestie unto him without staye tract or further stycking.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 103. If it shall notwithstanding seeme further convenient unto your L. to make stay of his acceptance.
a. 1592. Greene, Jas. IV., IV. v. 1998. I like no stay; go write, and I will signe.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., V. iii. [viii]. Bounty forbids to paull our thankes with stay.
1605. Chapman, All Fooles, V. i. H 4. Hast, for the matter will abide no staye.
1611. Sir P. Barty, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 103. To make stay of the money lately agreed to be paid.
1627. J. Ware, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 135. I have now, after almost a yeare’s stay, returned unto you (by this bearer) the MS. Life of St. Modwen.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., I. viii. 56. Her cause of stay was, the danger of the way.
1650. S. Clarke, Eccl. Hist., I. (1654), 50. Peace will come, albeit there be a little stay for a while.
1671. Milton, Samson, 1536. A little stay will bring some notice hither.
1707. Mortimer, Husb., 423. There is no Stock you can have Money in that will turn to better account, tho’ you stay long for it; nor any thing that it can be better secured in, which I think will make amends for the Stay.
† 5. A cause of stoppage; an obstacle, hindrance.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), T vij b. I shall not drede the staies of Fortune.
1548. Udall, Erasm. Par. Matt. iii. 7–10. That mennes pronitie to naughtynes, beynge compassed in with these stayes, myght be refreyned from fallyng into farther inconuenyence.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, Ep. to P. Giles (1895), 3. Seynge all theyes cares, stayes and lettes were taken awaye.
1563. Googe, Eglogs, etc. (Arb.), 119. Whom yf your Grace do not repuls and fynde some present staye, Vndoubtedly be wyll wyn this Realme and take vs all awaye.
1596. Spenser, State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 666. The presence of the Governour is … a great stay and bridle unto them that are ill disposed.
1598. R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Andria, III. i. In mora illi est, Hee is a stay, hindrance, or let to him.
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, I. § 20. 26. Good Iosiah was a stay of those judgements which God had threatned.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Ch. Porch, iii. Not grudging, that thy lust hath bounds and staies.
1665. Dryden, Ind. Queen, IV. i. My Rage, like dam’d-up Streams swell’d by some stay, Shall from this Opposition get new force.
† b. A demur, hesitation, scruple. Obs.
1550. Crowley, Epigr., 1254. We counte hym not wyse, That seketh not by all meanes that he canne devise To take offices togither wythoute any staye.
1566. Feckenham (title), The declaration of suche Scruples, and staies of Conscience, touchinge the Othe of the Supremacy.
1567. Jewel, Def. Apol., 72. If they be al Heretiques, and Schismatiques, and Despisers of Christe,… that make staie at it, or cannot receiue it, then [etc.].
6. The action or fact of staying or remaining in a place, continued presence; an instance of this, a period of temporary residence or continuance in a place, a sojourn.
1538. London, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. III. 215. We went to every place of them, and toke suche a vew and stay among them as the tyme wolde permytt.
1577–87. Harrison, England, II. v. (1877), I. 120. As a testimonie of his presence and staies from time to time as he did trauell.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., III. ii. 328. Till I come againe, No bed shall ere be guilty of my stay.
a. 1601. ? Marston, Pasquil & Kath., I. 165. Daughter, lay your expresse commandement vpon the stay of Master Mamon.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXXI. iii. II. 408. Low grounds where there is a settling or stay of raine water fallen from higher places.
1619. in Foster, Eng. Factories India (1906), 143. Having … lymited the commander 15 dayes stay there.
1635. in Verney Mem. (1907), I. 86. I do not intend to make a long stay there.
1664. D. Fleming in Extr. St. Papers rel. Friends, Ser. II. (1911), 191. The Trainband horse … are to continue here dureing the Judges stay.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 898. Let him surer barr His Iron Gates, if he intends our stay in that dark durance.
1670. W. Clarke, Nat. Hist. Nitre, 34. Lots Wife was only by looking Back, so small a stay, overtaken by this Artillery of Heaven.
1755. Chatham, Lett. to Nephew T. Pitt, xiii. (1805), 72. I have delayed writing to you in expectation of hearing farther from you upon the subject of your stay at college.
1789. Mrs. Piozzi, Journ. France, I. 17. Her stay in London was longer than mine in Paris.
1797. Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., Old Woman’s T. (1799), I. 370. St. Aubert … strenuously urged his stay.
1845. Budd, Dis. Liver, 270. Because the bile, during its stay in the bladder, becomes concentrated.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 108. As though their stay was not going to be a short one.
1884. Church, Bacon, viii. 206. It was one of man’s first duties to arrange for his stay on earth according to the real laws which he could find out if he only sought for them.
1897. Westm. Gaz., 1 Sept., 3/1. Every year has added to the stay of children at school.
† b. A place of sojourn; a fixed abode. Obs.
1566. Drant, Hor. Sat., I. v. D i b. As nowe I am, I coulde not wyshe almoste a better staye.
c. 1586. C’tess Pembroke, Ps. LXXX. iv. O God, retorne, and from thy starry stay Review this vyne.
1592. Kyd, Sol. & Pers., II. i. 266. Whether shall I go? If into any stay adioyning Rhodes, They will betray me.
1894. A. Laing, Misc. Poems, 108 (E.D.D.). If we sud hae nae ither stay Than hell beyond the tomb.
† c. Continuance in a state, duration. Obs.
1595. Spenser, Col. Clout, 98. Record to vs that louely lay againe: The staie whereof shall nought these eares annoy.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., xv. 9. When I consider euery thing that growes Holds in perfection but a little moment:… Then the conceit of this inconstant stay Sets you most rich in youth before my sight.
a. 1680. Glanvill, Sadducismus, I. (1682), 122. For there can be no perception of the external Object, unless the Object that is to be perceived act with some stay upon that which perceiveth.
1700. Dryden, Cock & Fox, 675. Alas, what stay is there in human state.
d. Staying power; power of endurance; strength; power of resistance. Now somewhat rare.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1589), 49. Prudence, Magnanimitie, and Justice are ankers of greatest stay.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., IV. xi. 25. But Thame was stronger, and of better stay.
1890. Spurgeon, in Voice (N.Y.), 21 Aug., 7/2. Some men are always great at beginnings; but they have no stay in them.
7. A stationary condition, a standstill; a state of neither advance nor retrogression. Chiefly in phrases, at or in a or one stay, rarely at stay.
Now somewhat arch., chiefly in echoes of the Prayer-book phrase in quot. 1549.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. cxxxvi. [cxxxii.] 379. Then the duke stode in a staye, and toke counsayle what was beste to do.
1542. in Tytler’s Hist. Scot. (1864), III. 6, note. This busyness … whiche, at this present, is at such a staye, that [etc.].
1546. Phaër, Bk. Childr. (1553), T vij b. The pulse is incertayn, and neuer at one stay.
1549. Bk. Comm. Prayer, Burial of Dead, Man that is borne of a woman … neuer continueth in one staye.
1553. Brende, Q. Curtius, II. 9 b. The king in ye meane season stode at a staye.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., ix. 36. Here stoode they both, a while in silent stay.
1560. Gresham, in Burgon, Life (1839), I. 292. So that now the Quene’s Majestie’s credit ys at a whole steye.
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 159. Then is he at a staye, he can go no further.
1595. Hunnis, Life & Death Joseph, 54. But Jacob yet amased was, and stood in doubtful stay.
1598. R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Phormio, V. viii. I am brought to such a stay that I knowe not what to do with him.
1600. Surflet, Country Farm, VII. xviii. 830. [Oaks have] one hundred years to growe, one hundred to stande at a staie, and one hundred to decline and fall away.
1611. Bible, Lev. xiii. 5. And beholde, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skinne, then [etc.].
1681. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 1168/2. I am brought to that stay, that [etc.].
1758. Binnell, Descr. Thames, 181. A River Pike grows fast till he arrives at twenty-four … Inches in length; then he stands a little more at stay.
1851. Meredith, Love in Valley, ii. Swifter she seems in her stay than in her flight.
1875. Manning, Mission Holy Ghost, iv. 106. We are never in one stay.
1876. Bridges, Growth of Love, xxvi. True only should the swift life stand at stay.
1880. Froude, Bunyan, ix. 151. In this world of change the point of view alters fast, and never continues in one stay.
† b. A permanent state or condition. Chiefly in phrase in good (quiet, etc.) stay. Obs.
1536. in Furnivall, Ballads fr. MSS., I. 311. Then they to-gether xuld, or this tyme, a brought Inglond in-to a better stey then it is now.
1542. Lam. & Piteous Treat., in Harl. Misc. (1745), IV. 509/2. All Thynges beynge in good Ordre and Staye.
1544. Betham, Precepts War, I. civ. F iij. My counsayl is, to set all thynges in quyet staye, and brynge them [soldiers at variance] agayne to concorde.
1553. Respublica, 735. Ye know it is no small weorke from so greate decaie … to sett all in good staighe.
1563–83. Foxe, A. & M., 852/1. Moreouer … the world nowe was at another stay, then when the beleuers were all of one hart and soule.
1566. Chambrelayne, in Strype’s Ann. Ref. (1709), I. 489. Where he, with his Father and Mother,… had lately repaired unto him; and were in some good Stay.
1570. Buchanan, Chamæleon, Wks. (1892), 49. Be ye diligence and wisdom of ye regent the cuntre wes brocht to sum stay.
1575. Gammer Gurton, I. i. Aske them what they ayle, or who brought them in this staye?
1580–3. Greene, Mamillia, Wks. (Grosart), II. 207. Hath she not promised to chaunge … the state of a Curtizan into the staie of a matron.
1616. Healey, trans. Theophrastus, 90. The State is at an euill stay, where more then one the Scepter sway.
† c. To set in or at stay: to reduce to order or quiet; to settle. Also to set a stay, to set stays: to settle matters. Obs.
1538. in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden), 193. But in all thes placys I have sett steys by indenturys making, and the common sealys sequestering, so that [etc.].
1542. Lam. & Piteous Treat., in Harl. Misc. (1745), IV. 505/1. Themperour beyng in Allmeigney, to Thentent to appease and set a staye in the Controuersyes and Dyssencyons, which are amonge the Allmeignes in Matters of Religion.
1555. Phaër, Æneid, I. (1558), A ij b. But first is best the fluddes to set in staie [L. sed motos praestat componere fluctus].
1561. Norton & Sackv., Gorboduc, III. i. 56. So shall you force Them to agree, and holde the lande in stay.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 8. He would first set such a stay in his Duchy of Normandie, that [etc.].
1575. Churchyard, Chippes (1817), 187. Such falshood raignde, and raged in the land…. But by my friendes, I set these thinges in staye.
1615. Liber Depos. Archd. Colch. (MS.), 74. Finding him very weake and sicke, he asked him [the said Testator] whether he had sett things at a staye.
8. Combinations: stay-law U.S. a legislative enactment establishing a general moratorium; † stay-liquor Salt-making, sea-water left by the tide, exposed in feeding-ponds for partial evaporation; stay-maker nonce-wd., one who makes a long stay; † stay-rig Sc. (see quot.).
1880. T. M. Cooley, Const. Law U. S. A., 311. The withdrawal of the remedy for a time by *stay laws is an impairment of the obligation of contracts.
1682. J. Collins, Salt & Fishery, 19. This Liquor … is called *Stay-Liquor.
1897. W. C. Hazlitt, Four Generations, II. vi. 145. Meadows was a desperate *stay-maker.
1591. in A. Maxwell’s Hist. Old Dundee (1884), 242. At the tails of all their rigs to make ane *stayrig upon the auld bounds of the said acres [footn. A cross ridge to stay the plough].
