O·bey v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obeyed p. pr. & vb. n. Obeying.]
1. To give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to; to comply with the orders of.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord. --Eph. vi. 1.
Was she the God, that her thou didst obey? --Milton.
2. To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by.
My will obeyed his will. --Chaucer.
Afric and India shall his power obey. --Dryden.
3. To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm.