much has changed since the original NED/OED entry. the online OED no longer has a headword for aby, instead subsuming it under abye.
nor is the fifth sense (to abide) marked obs. now, as they've scrounged up some 'contemporary' citations (even one with the olde spelling); to wit..

5.
b. trans. = abide v. III.
1884 J. Payne Tales from Arabic III. 89 My secret is disclosed, the which I strove to hide; Of thee and of thy love enough have I abyed.
1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xi. 123, I never could abye the reek of them since I could stotter on two feet.
1927 H. Waddell Wandering Scholars iv. 90 For seven days he painfully Endured a grassy diet, The eighth, his famine drove him home, He can no more abye it.

c. trans. = abide v. I.
1908 J. Payne Carol & Cadence 290 Would I might see it, I! Would Heaven I might its coming but aby.

Third edition, October 2011; online version December 2011[!!]

Last edited by tsuwm; 12/30/11 06:16 PM. Reason: version info