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Noun: standby  'stand`bI
  1. Something that can be relied on when needed
     
  2. An actor able to replace a regular performer when required
    - understudy
Adjective: standby  'stand`bI
  1. Ready for emergency use
    "a standby generator"; "a standby crew"
Verb: stand by
  1. Not act or do anything
    "He just stood by when the police beat up the demonstrators"
     
  2. Be available or ready for a certain function or service
    - stick around, stick about
     
  3. Be loyal to
    "She stood by her husband in times of trouble"
    - stick by, stick, adhere

Derived forms: stood by, standing by, standbies, stands by

See also: secondary, stand

Type of: actor, be, forbear, histrion, player, refrain, role player, thespian, thing, wait

Encyclopedia: Stand by

Standby