An abiding feeling or belief goes on for a long time, and it is not likely to change. An abiding love. An abiding faith. An abiding interest in music. The word feels warm, steady, and a little literary — more at home in a speech or a book than in a chat. It comes from an old verb meaning “to stay.” Though actually, many learners know abide by first, which means “follow a rule.” That is a different road. Abiding here does not mean “obeying.” It means “staying with you.”