keeps

Noun

keep (countable and uncountable, plural keeps)

1. (historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.

   Synonyms:

   donjon

2. The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
   • He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.
3. The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
   • to be in good keep
4. A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
5. (obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
   • So Sir Gareth strayned hym so that his olde wounde braste ayen on bledynge; but he was hote and corragyous and toke no kepe, but with his grete forse he strake downe the knyght[…].1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum XXIII”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book VII, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer...
6. (obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.
   • Often he used of his keep / A sacrifice to bring.1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “Iuly. Ægloga Septima.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Iohn Wolfe for Iohn Harrison the yonger, […], →OCLC

See all 35 meanings of keep