Continue to be (4)
I believe the answer is:
stay
'continue to be' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for stay that I've seen before include "Remain; detain" , "Supporting rope or wire" , "Rope or wire used to support a mast" , "Supporter" , "Thin strip used to stiffen a garment" .)