Emily Dickinson Lexicon

O-BEY', v.t. [Fr. obeir, contracted from L. obedio, It. ubbidire; supposed to be contracted from ob and audio, to hear. See Gr. εξακουω.]

1. To comply with the commands, orders or instructions of a superior, or with the requirements of law, moral, political or municipal; to do that which is commanded or required, or to forbear doing that which is prohibited. He who has learned to obey, will know how to command. Children, obey your parents in the Lord. Eph. vi. Servants, obey in all things your masters. Col. iii.
2. To submit to the government of; to be ruled by. All Israel obeyed Solomon. 1 Chron. xxix. Dan. vii.
3. To submit to the direction or control of. Seamen say, the ship will not obey the helm. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom. vi. James iii.
4. To yield to the impulse, power or operation of; as, to obey stimulus. Darwin. Relentless dime, destroying power, / When stone and brass obey.