abide by

a·bide  (-bd)

v. a·bode (-bd) or a·bid·ed, a·bid·ing, a·bides

v.tr.

1. To put up with; tolerate: can't abide such incompetence. See Synonyms at bear¹.

2. To wait patiently for: "I will abide the coming of my lord" Tennyson.

3. To withstand: a thermoplastic that will abide rough use and great heat.

v.intr.

1. To remain in a place.

2. To continue to be sure or firm; endure. See Synonyms at stay¹.

3. To dwell or sojourn.

Idiom:

abide by

To conform to; comply with: abide by the rules; had to abide by the judge's decision.

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[Middle English abiden, from Old English bdan : -, intensive pref. + bdan, to remain; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots.]

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a·bider n.

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	abide by - act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes; "He complied with my instructions"; "You must comply or else!"; "Follow these simple rules"; "abide by the rules" comply, follow stick with, stick to, follow - keep to; "Stick to your principles"; "stick to the diet" oblige, accommodate - provide a service or favor for someone; "We had to oblige him" adopt, espouse, follow - choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans; "She followed the feminist movement"; "The candidate espouses Republican ideals" toe the line - do what is expected obey - be obedient to conform to - observe; "conform to the rules"
	2.	abide by - show respect towards; "honor your parents!" honor, honour, respect, observe accept - consider or hold as true; "I cannot accept the dogma of this church"; "accept an argument" lionise, lionize, celebrate - assign great social importance to; "The film director was celebrated all over Hollywood"; "The tenor was lionized in Vienna" tolerate - recognize and respect (rights and beliefs of others); "We must tolerate the religions of others"