Antonyms for keep off


Grammar : Verb
Spell : keep
Phonetic Transcription : kip


Definition of keep off

Origin :
  • late Old English cepan "to seize, hold," also "to observe," from Proto-Germanic *kopijanan, but with no certain connection to other languages. It possibly is related to Old English capian "to look," from Proto-Germanic *kap- (cepan was used c.1000 to render Latin observare), which would make the basic sense "to keep an eye on."
  • The word prob. belongs primarily to the vulgar and non-literary stratum of the language; but it comes up suddenly into literary use c.1000, and that in many senses, indicating considerable previous development. [OED]
  • Sense of "preserve, maintain" is from mid-14c. Meaning "to maintain in proper order" is from 1550s; meaning "financially support and privately control" (usually in reference to mistresses) is from 1540s. Related: Kept; keeping.
  • As in rebut : verb argue against; prove wrong
  • As in repel : verb push away; repulse
  • As in repulse : verb push away
  • As in ward/ward off : verb defend, guard
  • As in deflect : verb bounce off; turn aside
  • As in fend off : verb keep at bay

Synonyms for keep off

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019