# aby

> English word · Verb · IPA /əˈbaɪ/ · frequency rank #61,938

## Definitions
1. To pay the penalty for (something); to atone for, to make amends.
2. To pay (something) as a penalty, to atone for; to suffer (something).
3. To endure or tolerate (something); to experience.
4. To pay for (something); to buy.
5. To pay the penalty; to atone.
6. To endure; to remain.

## Etymology
From Middle English abyen, abien, abiggen, from Old English ābyċġan (“to buy; pay for; buy off; requite; recompense; redeem; perform; execute”), from Proto-Germanic *uzbugjaną, equivalent to a- + buy. Cognate with Gothic 𐌿𐍃𐌱𐌿𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (usbugjan). Not related to abide.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/aby