outstand, v.
(aʊtˈstænd)
[out- 15 b, 17, 14.]
I. trans.
1. To stand or hold out against; to resist to the end, to endure successfully. Now dial.
| 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. xli. 13 David..manfully outstood those assaults of temptacions. 1629 Gaule Holy Madn. 165 A Lion will outstand a Man. 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth i. (1723) 40 Sure never to outstand the first Assault. c 1800 K. White Lett. Poet. Wks. (1837) 323 Outstand the tide of ages. 1805 E. de Acton Nuns of Desert II. 87 Who has experienced and outstood the base designs of him she loved and trusted. 1875 Sussex Gloss. s.v., He wanted to have the calf for three pound ten, but I out-stood him upon that. |
b. To maintain in opposition; to contradict (a person) obstinately. dial.
| 1658 A. Fox Wurtz' Surg. v. 362 Those Nurses..which were to look to the Children,..outstand it most that the Child was not hurt. 1883 Hampsh. Gloss. s.v., She outstood me wi' that 'ere lie. 1887 Kent Gloss s.v., He outstood me that he hadn't seen him. |
2. To stand out or stay beyond (in time). arch.
| 1611 Shakes. Cymb. i. vi. 207, I haue out-stood my time. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. II. 458 If we out-stand the Season of Grace. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits xvi. (1902) 161. |
II. intr. Cf. outstanding vbl. n. and ppl. a.
3. To stand out distinctly or prominently.
| 1755 Johnson, Outstand, to protuberate from the main body. 1848 Clough Bothie vi, Cottages here and there outstanding bare on the mountain. 1900 S. Phillips Paolo & Francesca ii. 50 The foam is on his lips, The veins outstand. |
4. Of a ship: To stand out or away from the land; to sail outwards.
| 1866 Whittier Dead Ship Harpswell 13 Many a keel shall seaward turn And many a sail outstand. |