Abided by Meaning and Definition
Abided by
Pronunciation
/əˈbājd by/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A term used to describe the act of adhering to a code, set of rules, or guidelines, often used in a formal or official capacity.
Examples
- The company made sure to abide by the new regulations.
- The team reviewed the rules and made sure to abide by them.
Synonyms
- Comply with
- Observe
- Follow
Antonyms
- Disregard
- Ignore
- Violate
Etymology
The term “abide” has its roots in Old English, where it was used to describe the act of living in a place or dwelling. The phrase “abide by” emerged in the 15th century as a way to describe adhering to or following a set of rules or guidelines.
Usage Notes
Abide by is often used in formal contexts, such as business or government, to describe the act of following a set of rules or regulations. In informal contexts, phrases such as “follow the rules” or “comply with” may be more commonly used.
Cultural References
Abide by has been used in various contexts in popular culture, including in movies, books, and speeches. For example, in the movie “The Social Network,” the term “abide by the rules” was used to describe the actions of the Winklevoss twins.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Abide by is often used in idiomatic expressions, such as “abide by the rules” or “abide by the letter of the law.”
Collocations
Common collocations with abide by include ” comply with”, “follow”, “obey”, and “adhere to.”
Frequency of Use
Abide by is a relatively rare term, but it is still widely used in formal and official contexts. It is estimated that the term appears in around 1 in 100,000 words in spoken language.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of abide by include “abide to”, “abide bying”, and “abideeing.”