See Also: stand oil(dictionary)
hat stand(dictionary)
Stand up to(money)
stand(dictionary)
stand-up(dictionary)
stand-off(dictionary)
Stand up to(finance)
stand(2)(dictionary)
stand-in(dictionary)
stand(1)(dictionary)

stand (iou)



stand verb. .
[Old English standan = Old Frisian standa, stonda, Old Saxon standan, Old High German stantan, Old Norse standa, Gothic standan, from Germanic base also of STADDLE noun & verb, STOOL noun, STUD noun2 & adjective, from Indo-European base also of STEAD noun, Latin stare, Greek histanai.]
I. verb intrans.
Of a person or animal: assume or maintain an erect attitude on the feet. OE.
G. Greene He..stood.., stiff and straight-backed.
b. Be of a specified height. M19.
J. Wain He stood about six feet and had plenty of bulk. Horse & Hound Standing at 16.3 h.h., the gelding had..ability.
Remain motionless on the feet, esp. in a specified place, condition, etc.; cease to walk or move on. OE.
G. Chapman All but Nausicaa fled; but she fast stood. E. Blishen There, hands on his hips, stood the headmaster.
b. In imper. Stop, halt. arch. E16.
Sir W. Scott 'Bayard, stand!'the steed obeyed.
c. Of a game-dog: point, set. (Foll. by on.) E19.
Remain firm or steady in an upright position, support oneself erect on the feet. Usu. in neg. contexts. OE.
H. Prideaux He could scarce speake or stand.
b. fig. Maintain one's fixity of purpose, remain firm or unmoved. ME.
Times They had stood true to the honour of Ireland. T. F. Tout Eldon exhorted the king to stand firm.
Take up an offensive or defensive position; present a firm front; hold one's ground; (of a body of troops) be drawn up in battle array. OE.
Carlyle The Felons..stand on the offensive.
Be or remain in a specified condition, state, etc. OE.
Examiner We stand..alone in this expression of taste. E. A. Freeman Let the meeting stand adjourned. R. Tine A Royal wedding..Captain Stanhope stood as best man.
b. Act in a specified capacity. LME.
Goldsmith To stand godfather to all the butler's children.
c. Cricket. Act as umpire. M19.
a. Of a horse: be kept in a stable or stall. ME.
b. Of a stallion: be available for breeding, esp. at a specified place. Orig. US. M18.
Move to and remain in a specified place or position. ME.
Of the penis: become or remain erect. E16.
Be or offer oneself as a candidate for or for an office, legislature, constituency, etc. Freq. in stand for parliament. M16.
H. Wilson Ministers should stand and seek election. V. Glendinning He stood as the Liberal candidate for Scarborough.
a. Stay, stop, or wait to do; insist on doing something. Usu. in neg. contexts. M16-M19.
M. Hale I do not stand to justifie this Opinion.
b. Hesitate, refuse, or be slow to do. Usu. in neg. contexts. Chiefly Scot. M16-L18.
c. Be in a position to win, gain, lose, etc., a specified object or amount, esp. as the result of betting or speculation. (Foll. by to do.) M19.
E. Waugh We stand to lose quite a lot.
In poker etc.: be ready to play. Also, retain one's hand as dealt. E19.
II. verb intrans.
a. Of a thing: be in an upright position with the lower part resting on or fixed in the ground or some other support; be set or placed, rest, lie. Freq. foll. by prepositions. OE.
K. Grahame A garden-seat stood on one side of the door. H. Roth In the..room stood a..glass-topped table. J. Steinbeck There, against the wall, stood four..sacks of pink beans.
b. (Of a plant) grow; (of a crop) be left uncut to ripen. Also, (of land) be covered thickly etc. with a crop. OE.
J. Jackson The lands stand thick with corn. J. C. Loudon If the tree is to stand four or more years.
c. Of the hair: grow stiff and erect like bristles. LME.
Of a building etc.: be situated or located in a specified position or aspect. OE.
R. Macaulay The..palace ruins standing among the little..gardens. T. Hardy The Abbey..stood in a lovely..valley.
b. Be fixed, set, or turned in a specified direction. L15-L17.
Be written, printed, or drawn; be set down in a specified context or form. Also spec., (of a sum, price, or score) be registered at a specified figure. OE.
Harper's Magazine His name stood on the club list. Oxford University Gazette The balance at the Bank stands..at 50.
b. Of an account: show a specified position of the parties with regard to debit and credit. Also, remain unpaid. E18.
Oxford English Dictionary The account stands greatly in my favour.
(Of water etc.) have the surface at a specified level; (of mercury etc. in a thermometer, barometer, etc.) reach a certain height; (of a thermometer, barometer, etc.) give a specific reading. ME.
National Review (US) The thermometer now stood at 20 Fah.
III. verb intrans.
a. Be or remain in a specified condition, relation, situation, etc.; spec. (of a building etc.) remain erect and entire, resist destruction or decay. OE.
b. Endure, last; continue unimpaired; flourish. OE.
c. Be or remain valid or of force, hold good. OE.
d. Of the world: exist; last. ME-L16.
Bible (Tyndale): 1 Corinthians 8:13 Whill the worlde stondeth.
Of a condition, process, etc.: remain stationary or unchanged. Now rare or obsolete. LME.
Of a ceremony: be performed, take place. Scot. Now rare or obsolete. M17.
Of a pigment or dye: keep its colour; not blot or run. E19.
IV. verb intrans.
Esp. of water: cease flowing; collect and remain motionless, be or become stagnant. OE.
T. S. Eliot The pools that stand in drains.
b. Foll. by with: (of land, a ditch, etc.) be full of stagnant water. E17.
T. Hearne The Ditch about the Camp stands with water.
(Of a liquid etc.) be held in a utensil without disturbance; (of tea) be left to infuse. OE.
H. Woolley Strain it [the Jelly], and so let it stand for your use. E. A. Robertson Bring some fresh tea...This has been standing..a long time.
a. Of a ship: ride at anchor. rare. Only in ME.
b. (Of a machine etc.) remain still or motionless; not move or be operated; cease working; (of a clock, watch, etc.) cease to keep time, no longer be going. Now rare. LME.
S. Foote The dog was mad, the parrot dead, and the clock stood.
c. Of a vehicle: remain in a customary place waiting for passengers or the scheduled time of departure. M17.
d. Of a mine, factory, etc.: stop working; be at a standstill. M18.
Of a star, planet, etc.: appear or be seen as motionless in the sky. ME.
Tennyson Full-faced above the valley stood the moon.
Orig., (of blood or other fluid) collect and remain in a part of the body. Later, (of tears, sweat, etc.) collect and remain in drops in the eyes or on the skin. LME.
Longfellow A tear stood in his bright blue eye. Strand Magazine The sweat stood in beads on his forehead.
V. verb intrans.
Esp. of light: issue in a beam or shaft. OE-LME.
Esp. of a weapon: be fixed at or on the place to which it penetrates in wounding; penetrate through, to. OE-LME.
Of the wind: blow from a specified quarter; blow favourably, continue to blow. Now rare or obsolete. ME.
London Gazette Sail for the River, as soon as the Wind stands fair.
a. Of a person: go or proceed esp. in a specified direction. Long rare or obsolete. ME.
J. Shipp They bowed a hundred times..; then stood towards their village.
b. Nautical. Of a ship, crew, etc.: hold a specified course. E17.
J. Masefield The ship was standing north, the Horn was rounded. F. Mowat In a few moments she was standing swiftly across the habour.
VI. verb trans.
Confront, face, oppose, encounter; resist, withstand, bear the brunt of. OE.
Shakespeare 1 Henry VI Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him. Carlyle Training..thousands to stand fire and be soldiers.
b. Be exposed to (harsh weather etc.). L16-E18.
a. Comply with or remain loyal to (an ordinance etc.). rare. LME-L16.
b. Endure or undergo (a trial, test, etc.), esp. with a successful outcome; bear (a hardship etc.) without hurt or weakness. E17.
New Monthly Magazine He has stood the ordeal of a London audience.
c. Submit to or offer to comply with (a decision or vote); take part in (a contested election). L17.
Face, encounter (an issue, hazard, etc.) without flinching or retreating; be exposed or liable to (hazard, fortunes). L16.
Withstand or disobey (a command). rare. E17-E19.
a. Put up with, tolerate; be willing to endure. E17.
b. Reconcile oneself to, be favourably disposed to, feel a degree of liking for. Usu. in neg. contexts (chiefly in cannot stand). colloq. L19.
M. Steen I can't stand him! He's the most ghastly clot!
Bear the expense of; pay for, esp. as a treat; contribute (a share of a larger amount). colloq. E19.
Daily Mirror Are you going to stand me a drink?
Racing etc.
a. Bet or wager (a sum of money) on or about a specified result. Now rare or obsolete. E19.
b. Bet on the success of, back, (a horse). L19.
Of a game-dog: point or set (game). M19.
VII. verb trans.
Cost, be of a specified expense to, (a person). obsolete exc. Scot. LME.
VIII. verb trans.
Cause to stand; place or leave standing; set (a thing) upright; place firmly or steadily in a specified position. Also foll. by up. M19.
Phrases: as it stands (a) (esp. of a house) in its present condition, unaltered, taken or considered as it is; (b) in the present circumstances. as much as the traffic will stand: see TRAFFIC noun. it stands to reason: see REASON noun1. know where one stands (with someone): see KNOW verb. no leg to stand on, not a leg to stand on: see LEG noun. stand a chance have a prospect of success etc. stand and deliver! Hist. a highwayman's order to hand over valuables etc. stand a person in stead, stand a person in good stead: see STEAD noun. stand at bay: see BAY noun1 2. stand at stud: see STUD noun2. stand buff: see BUFF noun1. stand good be and remain valid. stand guard: see GUARD noun. stand in a person's light: see LIGHT noun. stand in line: see LINE noun2. stand in stead: see STEAD noun. stand in the breach: see BREACH noun 8. stand mute (of malice): see MUTE adjective 2. stand neuter: see NEUTER adjective 2. stand on CEREMONY. stand on end (freq. hyperbol.) (of the hair) become erect through fright or astonishment. stand one's corner: see CORNER noun 9. stand on one's points, stand on points: see POINT noun1. stand one's ground maintain one's position, refuse to yield. stand one's trial be tried by a court for an offence. stand on one's dignity: see DIGNITY 5. stand on one's head perform a gymnastic movement in which the body is supported vertically in an upside-down position by the head and hands. stand on one's own bottom: see BOTTOM noun. stand on one's own feet, stand on one's own two feet: see FOOT noun. stand out like a sore thumb: see SORE adjective1. stand pad: see PAD noun2 1a. stand Sam: see SAM noun1 1. stand sentinel: see SENTINEL noun 1. stand sentry: see SENTRY noun1 2. stand someone's friend arch. act the part of a friend to another. stand surety: see SURETY noun. stand the market Scot. & north. attend a market in order to sell goods or (Hist.) to hire oneself out. stand the pace: see PACE noun1. stand the racket: see RACKET noun2 4. stand to one's tackle: see TACKLE noun. stand treat: see TREAT noun2 3b. stand upon one's points, stand upon points: see POINT noun1. stand upon one's toes: see TOE noun. stand up to the rack: see RACK noun2. stand well be on good terms (with), be in good repute. stand widdershins: see WIDDERSHINS adverb 1. will the real please stand up? colloq.: requesting that a specified person clarify his or her position or make himself or herself known (often rhetorical).
With adverbs in specialized senses: stand about remain standing in a place without a fixed position or definite object. stand aloof remain standing at, or withdraw to, some distance (from), keep away (from) (lit. & fig.). stand apart stand alone or at a distance (from) (lit. & fig.). stand aside draw back or retire and stand apart from the general company or from what is going on. stand away (a) withdraw to some distance; (b) Nautical sail or steer away, esp. in a specified direction. stand back withdraw and take up a position further away from the front. stand by (a) stand nearby, be present, esp. without interfering or protesting; (b) = stand aside above; (c) be excluded (from); spec. withdraw from a jury, esp. on being challenged; (d) be laid aside; (e) Nautical hold oneself in readiness, be prepared for, to do (freq. in imper.). stand down (a) leave the witness-box after giving evidence; (b) Sport withdraw from a game, match, or race; give up one's place in a team; (c) Nautical sail with the wind or tide; (d) Military (cause to) come off duty; (cause to) relax after a state of alert. stand forth arch. (a) step forward; come resolutely to the front; (b) make a conspicuous appearance, be prominent. stand in (a) go shares with, be a partner with; have a friendly or profitable understanding with; (b) Nautical direct one's course towards the shore; (c) act in the place of another, deputize for; Cinematography act as a substitute for a principal actor. stand off (a) remain at or retire to a distance; draw back, go farther away; (b) remain apart, distinct, or separate from a thing; differ; (c) hold aloof, be unhelpful or unaccommodating; (d) project, protrude, jut out (from a surface etc.); appear as if in relief; fig. be conspicuous or prominent; (e) Nautical direct one's course away from the shore; stand off and on, direct one's course alternately away from and towards the shore; (f) US colloq. repel; put off, evade; keep off, keep at a distance; (g) lay off (an employee) temporarily. stand on Nautical continue on the same course. stand out (a) move away and stand apart or in open view; (b) choose not to take part in an undertaking or joint venture; hold aloof; (c) persist in opposition or resistance, hold out; stand out for, declare oneself for, persist in supporting; (d) haggle; make a determined demand for specified terms; (e) Nautical direct one's course away from the shore (freq. in stand out to sea); (f) jut out, project, protrude (from); be prominent or conspicuous; appear in contrast or relief (against); (g) endure to the end, hold out under or against (an ordeal, severe weather, etc.); (h) maintain or insist that (also stand it out that). stand over (a) Nautical direct one's course away from one shore and towards another; (b) be postponed, be left for later treatment, consideration, or settlement. stand pat: see PAT adverb2. stand to (a) (rare, Shakes.) set to work, fall to; esp. begin eating; (b) Military stand ready for an attack, esp. before dawn or after dark; come or remain on duty. stand up (a) assume an erect position; rise to one's feet; be set upright; be or become erect; (b) arch. take part in a dance; dance with a specified partner; (c) (colloq. & dial.) take shelter from the rain; (d) colloq. be dressed in (freq. in (only) the clothes one stands up in); (e) (of an animal) hold out in a race or chase; (f) poet. (of flame, smoke, etc.) rise up, issue upwards; (g) remain bravely standing to confront an opponent; make a stand against (lit. & fig.); (h) stand up for, defend, support, or take the part of (a person or cause); (i) stand up to, meet, face, or withstand (an opponent) courageously; be resistant to the harmful effects of (wear, use, etc.); (j) colloq. fail to keep an appointment, esp. a romantic date, with (a person); (k) stand up and be counted (colloq.), make public one's (esp. political) conviction or sympathy; (l) (esp. of an argument) sustain close examination, be tenable or valid; (m) see sense 38 above.
With prepositions in specialized senses: stand against (a) withstand, resist successfully, hold one's ground against; (b) oppose as an alternative candidate. stand at arch. colloq. hesitate at; be deterred by. stand before (a) come or be brought into the presence of; (b) confront, hold one's ground against (usu. in neg. contexts). stand by (a) have or take up a position nearby, esp. while giving help, advice, or sympathy; fig. uphold the interests of, support, side with; (b) Nautical be ready to take hold of or operate (an anchor etc.); (c) adhere to or abide by (a statement, agreement, etc.). stand for (a) uphold or defend (a cause); support or take the part of (a person); (b) be counted or considered as; represent, signify, imply; (c) Nautical sail or steer towards; (d) colloq. (orig. US) endure, put up with, tolerate (usu. in neg. contexts); (e) see sense 9 above. stand in (a) (now rare or obsolete) be dressed in, be actually wearing; (b) persevere or persist in; dwell on; (c) arch. rest or depend on as a basis for existence. stand on (a) base one's argument on, take one's stand on; (b) (of an argument) be grounded on; (c) give oneself to or practise (action or behaviour of a specified kind); (d) be meticulously careful about, observe scrupulously; (e) assert, claim respect or credit for; (f) (rare, Shakes.) value, set store by; (g) (now rare or obsolete) regard as essential or necessary, urge, press for, demand; (h) impers. with it, behove, be incumbent on; (i) stand on me (slang), rely on me, believe me. stand over stand close to (a person) to watch, control, threaten, etc. stand to (a) submit oneself to or abide by (a trial etc.); obey or be bound by (a decision, opinion, etc.); (b) trust to, rely on; (c) stand to it (arch.), fight bravely; work hard without flagging; (d) (now rare) confront, present a bold front to (an enemy); (e) arch. endure the consequences of; (f) make good or bear the expense of (damage or loss); be answerable for (expenses); accept liability for (a tribute or tax); (g) side with or support (a person); uphold (a cause); (h) adhere to or abide by (a promise, agreement, etc.); (i) persist in affirming or asserting (a statement); (j) be related to; (k) Anglo-Irish be to one's advantage, sustain. stand under (a) be exposed or subject to; bear the burden of; (b) Nautical make sail with (a specified display of canvas). stand upon = stand on above. stand with (a) withstand or dispute with; (b) side with, make common cause with; (c) arch. be consistent or consonant with, agree or accord with.
Comb.: stand-alone adjective (Computing) designating a part of a computer system (hardware or software) that can be used independently; stand-down Military the action or state of standing down; the end of a spell of duty; stand-easy an assumption of the attitude directed by the command 'stand easy!' (see EASY adverb 3); fig. a period of relaxation; stand-in (a) US colloq. a friendly or profitable understanding (with another), esp. for illicit purposes; (b) a deputy, a substitute (for); spec. (chiefly N. Amer.) a person substituting for a principal film actor while the cameras and lighting for a scene are set; stand-over adjective (Austral. slang) bullying, threatening; stand-over man, a perpetrator of extortion by threat, a protection-racketeer; stand-to Military the action or state of standing to; the beginning of a spell of duty; stand-to-arms Military the action of standing to arms; the period during which a force etc. stands to arms.