buy

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to accept as true

   I can't buy this story.

2. 2
   verb

   to obtain by purchase

   I buy my groceries at the co-op.

3. 3
   verb

   to acquire by trade or sacrifice or exchange

   You wanted to buy their love with your dedication to them and their work.

4. 4
   verb

   to make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence

   The mobster bought the mayor.

5. 5
   verb

   to be worth or be capable of buying

   This sum will buy you a ride on the train.

6. 6
   verb

   To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods.

   Who'd Father buy the car for? He bought it for me, not for you.

7. 7
   verb

   To obtain, especially by some sacrifice.

   I've bought material comfort by foregoing my dreams.

8. 8
   verb

   To suffer consequences for (something) through being deprived of something; to pay for (something one has done).

   VVhat villaine, doſt ſtrike me? I ſweare by the rood, As I am Iacke Strawe, thou ſhalt buy it with thy blood.

Etymology

From Middle English byen, from Old English bycġan (“to buy, pay for, acquire, redeem, ransom, procure, get done, sell”), from Proto-West Germanic *buggjan, from Proto-Germanic *bugjaną (“to buy”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰūgʰ- (“to bend”), or from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewgʰ- (“to take away, deliver”). Cognate with Scots buy (“to buy, purchase”), obsolete Dutch beugen (“to buy”), Old Saxon buggian, buggean (“to buy”), Old Norse byggja (“to build, settle”), Gothic 𐌱𐌿𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (bugjan, “to buy”). The spelling with “u” is from the Southwest, while the pronunciation with…