Legal Definitions - abide

Definition: To tolerate, obey, await, perform, or stay.

1. To tolerate or withstand. Example: "The widow found it difficult to abide the pain of losing her husband."
2. To obey. Example: "Try to abide the doctor's order to quit smoking."
3. To await. Example: "The death-row prisoners abide execution."
4. To perform or execute an order or judgment. Example: "The trial court abided the appellate court's order."
5. To stay or dwell. Example: "The right to abide in any of the 50 states."

The examples illustrate how the word "abide" can be used in different contexts. In the first example, it means to tolerate or endure something difficult. In the second example, it means to follow or comply with an order. In the third example, it means to wait for something to happen. In the fourth example, it means to carry out a decision made by a higher authority. In the fifth example, it means to live or reside in a particular place.