A.keep or preserve closely, ἑαυτὸν ἀδωροδόκητον Aristeas 209; “τὴν ψυχήν μου μὴ φαγεῖν” LXX To.1.11; ς. [τὴν γνώμην] παρ᾽ ἑαυτῇ keep it close, Plb.30.30.5, cf. LXX Si.39.2, Ev.Luc.2.19.
2. preserve, maintain, of grants or privileges, SIG705.48 (Delph., ii B.C.), al., BGU1074.2 (i A.D.):—Pass., IG12(5).860.44 (Tenos); ἀμφότεροι -οῦνται (sc. ὅ τε οἶνος καὶ οἱ ἀσκοί) Ev.Matt.9.17.
3. observe strictly, “τὸ τῆς φύσεως τέλος” Epicur.Fr.554; τὰ νόμιμα Aristeas 127; “τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ” LXX Si.2.15; “τὴν εὐταξίαν” Arch.Pap.3.134 (Thera, iii/ii B.C.); “τήν τε φιλίαν καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν” Riv.Fil.60.60 (Cyrene, ii B.C.); ς. τὸ διάστημα keep distance, Ascl. Tact.12.11, Ael.Tact.42.1.
4. watch one's opportunity, “συντηροῦντα παίειν” Plu.Marc.12.
5. watch over, protect, τοῖς φυλακίταις (sc. συντάξαι)“ συντηρῆσαι τὰ . . γενήματα” BGU1851.8 (i B.C.).