buy

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English byen, biggen, buggen, from Old English bycġan (to buy, pay for, acquire, redeem, ransom, procure, get done, sell), from Proto-Germanic *bugjanan (to buy), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bhūgh- (to bend), or from Proto-Indo-European *bheugh- (to take away, deliver). Cognate with Scots by (to buy, purchase), Old Saxon buggian, buggean (to buy), Old Norse byggja (to procure a wife, lend at interest, let out), Gothic 𐌱𐌿𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (bugjan, to buy).

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

buy (third-person singular simple present buys, present participle buying, simple past and past participle bought)

  1. (transitive) To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods
    I'm going to buy my father something nice for his birthday.
  2. (transitive) To obtain by some sacrifice.
    I've bought material comfort by foregoing my dreams.
  3. (transitive) To bribe.
    He tried to buy me with gifts, but I wouldn't give up my beliefs.
  4. (transitive) To be equivalent to in value.
    The dollar doesn't buy as much as it used to.
  5. (transitive, informal) to accept as true; to believe
    I'm not going to buy your stupid excuses anymore!
  6. (intransitive) To make a purchase or purchases.
    She buys for Federated.
    Let's go out for dinner. I'm buying.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Antonyms

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms

[edit] Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

[edit] Noun

buy (plural buys)

  1. Something which is bought; a purchase.
    At only $30, the second-hand kitchen table was a great buy.

[edit] Antonyms

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Views
Actions
Navigation
Toolbox
In other languages