keepen

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English kepen, equivalent to keep +‎ -en.

Verb[edit]

keepen

  1. (obsolete) plural simple present of keep
    • 1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “Iulye. Ægloga Septima.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: [], London: [] Hugh Singleton, [], →OCLC; reprinted as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, The Shepheardes Calender [], London: John C. Nimmo, [], 1890, →OCLC, folio 29, recto:
      [T]hey keepen all the path.
    • 1584, George Peele, The Arraignment of Paris:
      Mispeake not al, for his amisse, there bin that keepen flocks,
      That never chose but once, nor yet beguiled love with mockes.
    • 1606, N[athaniel] B[axter], Sir Philip Sydneys Ouránia, That Is, Endimions Song and Tragedie, Containing All Philosophie, London: [] Ed. Allde, for Edward White, [], →OCLC, signature H2, verso:
      They keepen therefore ſilence in their Flight,
      Till they haue ſcap'd that mountaine in the night.