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.