n. 1. A holding; restraint; custody; guard; charge; care; preservation. [ 1913 Webster ]
His happiness is in his own keeping. South. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Maintenance; support; provision; feed; as, the cattle have good keeping. [ 1913 Webster ]
The work of many hands, which earns my keeping. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Conformity; congruity; harmony; consistency; as, these subjects are in keeping with each other; his levity is not in keeping with the seriousness of the occasion. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]
4. (Paint.) Harmony or correspondence between the different parts of a work of art; as, the foreground of this painting is not in keeping. [ 1913 Webster ]
Keeping room, a family sitting room. [ New Eng. & Prov. Eng. ]
Syn. -- Care; guardianship; custody; possession. [ 1913 Webster ]