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rove

 - 8 dictionary results

rove

1  [rohv] ,verb, roved, rov⋅ing, noun
Use rove in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to wander about without definite destination; move hither and thither at random, esp. over a wide area.
–verb (used with object)
2. to wander over or through; traverse: to rove the woods.
–noun
3. an act or instance of roving.
Origin:
1490–1500; orig., to shoot at a random target; perh. < Scand; cf. ON rāfa to stray; but cf. also OF raver to roam

Synonyms:
1. stroll, amble, stray. See roam.

rove

2  [rohv] ,
–verb
a pt. and pp. of reeve 2 .

rove

3  [rohv] ,verb, roved, rov⋅ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to form (slivers of wool, cotton, etc.) into slightly twisted strands in a preparatory process of spinning.
2. to draw fibers or the like through an eye or other small opening.
3. to attenuate, compress, and twist slightly in carding.
–noun
4. British. roving 2 .
Origin:
1780–90; of obscure orig.

reeve

2  [reev]
–verb (used with object), rove or reeved, ro⋅ven or reeved, reev⋅ing. Nautical.
1. to pass (a rope or the like) through a hole, ring, or the like.
2. to fasten by placing through or around something.
3. to pass a rope through (the swallow of a block).
Origin:
1620–30; < D reven to reef; see reef 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rove
reeve 2   (rēv)   
tr.v.   reeved or rove (rōv), reev·ing, reeves Nautical

  1. To pass (a rope or rod) through a hole, ring, pulley, or block.

  2. To fasten by passing through or around.

  3. To pass a rope or rod through (a hole, ring, pulley, or block).


[Origin unknown.]
rove 1   (rōv)   
v.   roved, rov·ing, roves

v.   intr.
To wander about at random, especially over a wide area; roam.
v.   tr.
To roam or wander around, over, or through. See Synonyms at wander.
n.  An act of wandering about, over, around, or through.

[Middle English roven, to shoot arrows at a mark.]
rove 2   (rōv)   
tr.v.   roved, rov·ing, roves

  1. To card (wool).

  2. To put (fibers) through an eye or opening.

  3. To stretch and twist (fibers) before spinning; ravel out.

n.  A slightly twisted and extended fiber or sliver.

[Origin unknown.]
rove 3   (rōv)   
v.   Nautical
A past tense and a past participle of reeve2.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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