buy
Pronunciation: (bī), [key] — v., n. bought, buy•ing,
—v.t. - to acquire the possession of, or the right to, by paying or promising to pay an equivalent, esp. in money; purchase.
- to acquire by exchange or concession: to buy favor with flattery.
- to hire or obtain the services of: The Yankees bought a new center fielder.
- to bribe: Most public officials cannot be bought.
- to be the monetary or purchasing equivalent of: Ten dollars buys less than it used to.
- to redeem; ransom.
- to draw or be dealt (a card): He bought an ace.
- I don't buy that explanation.
- to accept or believe:I don't buy that explanation.
- to be deceived by:He bought the whole story.
—v.i. - to be or become a purchaser.
- to lower or reduce (the mortgage interest rate) by means of a buy-down.
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- to buy a supply of; accumulate a stock of.
- to buy back one's own possession at an auction.
- to undertake a buy-in. Also,buy into.
- to purchase a share, interest, or membership in: They tried to buy into the club but were not accepted.
- to get killed: He bought it at Dunkirk.
- to get rid of (a claim, opposition, etc.) by payment; purchase the noninterference of; bribe: The corrupt official bought off those who might expose him.
- to secure all of (an owner or partner's) share or interest in an enterprise: She bought out an established pharmacist and is doing very well.
- to buy as much as one can of something or as much as is offered for sale: He bought up the last of the strawberries at the fruit market.
—n. - an act or instance of buying.
- something bought or to be bought; purchase: That coat was a sensible buy.
- a bargain: The couch was a real buy.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.