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English word keep comes from Old Norse kópr, Proto-Indo-European *ǵeb-, and later Icelandic kópur (A seal pup, a young seal.)
kópr (Old Norse)
A young seal. An Old Icelandic nickname, probably meaning “one who stares”.
*ǵeb- (Proto-Indo-European)
to look after
kópur (Icelandic)
A seal pup, a young seal.
*kapjaną (Proto-Germanic)
To be looking, be watching, stare.
*kōpijaną (Proto-Germanic)
To look after, observe. To watch, keep, care for.
cēpan (Old English)
cepan (Old English)
To await; bear. To desire; take. To keep (an eye on); observe; regard. To keep (stock of). To keep (to follow a rule); betake oneself to; meditate.
kepen (Middle English)
keep (English)
(archaic) To remain in, to be confined to.. (copulative) To remain in a state.. (heading, intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.. (heading, transitive) To hold the status of something.. (intransitive, cricket) To act as wicket-keeper.. (intransitive, obsolete) To be in session; to take place.. (intransitive, obsolete) To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.. (obsolete) To reside for [...]