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单词 give
释义

† given.1

Forms: α. Old English gi(e)fu, gyfu, geofu, Middle English ȝife, ȝieve, Middle English ȝive, ȝe(o)ve, ȝefe, Middle English yeve. β. Middle English gife, give, gyve.
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English giefu strong feminine = Old Frisian geve , jeve , Old Saxon geƀa , giƀa (Middle Dutch geve ), Old High German geba , gepa , kepa (Middle High German gebe ), Old Norse gjǫf , Gothic giba < Old Germanic *geƀâ , < *geƀ- to give v.The β-forms, with initial g for ȝ, are northern and probably due to the influence of the verb.
Obsolete.
1.
a. Something given; = gift n.1 3.The combination ȝeres-ȝive, New Year's gift (see year n.) occurs later, e.g. in 1377 text of P. Plowman B. x. 47. With the Old English tó giefe, as a gift, cf. Dutch te geef, as a gift, gratis (now only in the sense ‘dirt cheap’).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun]
givec888
lakeOE
presentc1230
giftc1275
garrison1297
benefit1377
beneficec1380
givinga1382
handsela1393
donativec1430
oblation1433
propine1448
presentationc1460
don1524
sportule1538
premie?1548
first penny1557
donation1577
exhibition1579
donary1582
fairing1584
merced1589
gifture1592
meed1613
recado1615
regalo1622
regale1649
dation1656
compliment1702
dashee1705
dash1788
cadeau1808
bestowment1837
potlatch1844
prez.1919
Harry Freeman's1925
pressie1933
α.
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xli. §2 Þam he geaf micle gife freodomes.
OE Beowulf 1884 Þa wæs on gange gifu Hroðgares oft geæhted.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) x. 8 Ge onfengun to gyfe, syllað to gyfe [L. gratis].
a1200 Moral Ode 45 Þer ne þerf he habben kare of ȝefe ne of ȝelde.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10225 Heo sculden habbeon ȝiuen [c1300 Otho ȝeftes] gode.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 897 Þa hefde Brutus þa ȝeue [c1300 Otho ȝeft] þat Diana hi bi-heihte.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2880 For ich giue þe a giue, Þat euere more hwil ich liue, For hire shal-tu be with me dere [etc.].
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13481 Þorow þem ys Rome..Halden hed of al þe werd, & so schal be, y gyue ȝow a gyue, Al so longe as y may lyue.
β. c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 357 That he ne moucte no more liue, For gol ne siluer, ne for no gyue.
b. Something given by God; a divine gift, grace; = gift n.1 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [noun] > graciousness or grace > gift from God
give971
deodatea1633
charisma1641
α.
971 Blickl. Hom. 31 Ealra þara gifa þe he middan~gearde forgeaf þurh his tocyme, nis nænig mare mægen..þonne [etc.].
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) ii. 40 Þæt cild weox..& godes gyfu wæs on him.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5482 Þe firrste ȝife iss witt. & skill Inn hefennlike þingess.
c1200 Vices & Virtues 53 Full of godes ȝiues.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 107 Swiche ȝiues [MS. giues] and none iuele sendeð lemene fader mankin.
c1230 Hali Meid. 11 Meidenhad is tat an ȝeoue iȝettet te of heouene.
β. a1300 Cursor Mundi 23370 Þe sele þat sal leng in heuen, In bodi sal haf gifes seuen.
2. The action of giving; = gift n.1 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > [noun]
givec1275
gifta1300
giving13..
donationc1425
gifture1503
rendering1523
donature1629
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 202 He heold þe stronge castles þurh staðele his fader ȝefe [c1300 Otho ȝiftes].
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 23 Lozengerie, simulacion, folliche yeue: uor þet me ssel him hyealde corteys and large.

Compounds

ȝeve-custi adj. [Old English cystig bountiful] bountiful in gifts.
ΚΠ
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2427 Nes he noht. ȝælpinde. ah he wes ȝeue-custi.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

given.2

Brit. /ɡɪv/, U.S. /ɡɪv/
Etymology: < give v.
The action, fact, or quality of ‘giving’ (cf. sense 40a of the verb); a yielding, giving way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > [noun] > giving way under physical force
yielding1860
give1868
yield1889
1868 G. M. Hopkins Jrnls. & Papers (1959) 189 They look like the swaling or give of water in a river when you look across it.
1887 Cassell's Family Mag. Summer No. 62 The dead pull (so different to the spring and give of the rod).
1893 Pall Mall Gaz. 4 Jan. 4/3 Notwithstanding the apparent ‘give’ in the weather yesterday, at no time..did the thermometer rise above 31 degrees.
1921 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 11 Mar. 2/3 One member in our business structure alone lacks ‘give’—labor. If there is no ‘give’ something is going to smash.
1970 Times 13 Mar. 13/1 They began levelling the pitch at 8 a.m. this morning and if the weather stays fine we should have a fair surface with some give in it.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2018).

givev.

Brit. /ɡɪv/, U.S. /ɡɪv/
Forms: Inflectional Forms. 1. infinitive. a. simple inf. give /ɡɪv/. Forms:

α. Old English geo-, giofan, giaban, Northumberland geafa, Middle English ȝevan, Middle English ȝeoven, ȝefve(n, Middle English ȝeve(n, Middle English ȝef, Middle English–1500s yeve, Middle English yeff(e, yew, 1700s dialect ye.c831 Charter 39 in Old Eng. Texts 445 Hwet man..agiaban scel.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxvii. 58 Pylatus..geheht ageafa lichoma.] OE Beowulf 2972 Ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes ealdum ceorle ondslyht giofan.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 13 Ic eou wille ȝeuan wela.c1230 Hali Meid. 19 Schulle..ȝeouen ham stude & nome betere þen sunen & dohtren.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2386 He him wolde ȝeuen [c1300 Otho ȝifue] al þat gold.c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) xxxi. 113 Eny man, that my fadir wolle ȝeve me to.c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 7 He may ȝef non indulgence noiþer to man in purgatori, neiþer to hem þat are prescit.1477 W. Pecock in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 423 He wold yeffe you his labore be so ye payd for his costys.

β. Old English gi(e)fan, gyfan, Middle English ȝyven, ȝiefe, Middle English ȝyfen, ȝifen, Middle English ȝifve(n, Orm. ȝifenn, Middle English ȝi(e)ve(n, ȝyve, Middle English ȝif, if, Middle English ȝiffe, yiffe, yive.OE Genesis 671 Hwa meahte me swelc gewit gifan.1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1137 Þe uurecce men ne hadde nan more to gyuen.a1175 Cott. Hom. 231 Me hine sceolde..ȝiefe him his formemete.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10476 Forr þatt he wollde ȝifenn uss To brukenn eche blisse.a1200 Moral Ode 64 in Trin. Coll. Hom. Þar me sal..ȝieuen us ure werkes lean after ure erninge.a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2963 Þi douȝti sone schal þi dere douȝter ȝiuen þe kinges sone of spayne.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 23218 Peynted fire..ȝyue liȝt neuer hit may.14.. MS. Fairfax 16 (Halliw.) To..yiffe hem audience.c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) ii. cxliii. 132 With his yrened foot he shulde yiue me in þe visage.c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 79 And if þe sentens to sle þe innocent.1485–6 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 49 All maner patayns, ȝeftys, offyȝs, that he dyd ȝiffe.

γ. Middle English Orm. gifenn, Middle English gyf(f(e, gif(f)e, Middle English–1600s gif(f, Middle English–1500s gyve, gyf(e(n, Middle English–1600s geve, (Middle English gywe, 1500s geive, ge', Scottish gewe, 1600s Scottish giwe), 1700s–1800s dialect gie, gi', Middle English– give. (Also 1500s y-geve, Scottish gevin.)c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) Ded. l. 248 Þurrh þatt he shall o domess daȝȝ. Vss gifenn heffness blisse.c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2281 He þoughte his doughtres gyue hose~bandes.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 145 How god bigan þe law hym gyfe.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 13714 Þou sal hir gif iuggement.c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 1760 Gode counsaile we shal you gyfen.c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 133 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 11 I sall gyf gud leif hym till.1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Gife, donare.1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Giffe to kepe, commendare.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. vi. 39 I sall ȝow gevin ilk man..twa schort speris.c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xliv. 147 I shall gyue the my syster in maryage.1521 Bp. J. Fisher Wks. (1876) 313 Euery true christen man sholde gyf assured fayth.1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. 56 Tua thousand merkis..He had with him king Richart for to gewe.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11469 What godes þai wold gyffe to the gret harmes.1566 T. Drant tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. F Some one or other, wyll to thee Thy fatall wounde ygeue.1575 W. Stevenson Gammer Gurtons Nedle iii. iii. sig. Ciiiv Where is the strong stued hore, chil geare a hores marke.1609 Bible (Douay) I. Zeph. iii. 5 In the morning he wil geve his judgment into light.1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 369 He was a-goin' to gi' me the lie.1863 J. P. Robson Songs Bards of Tyne 294 Aw'll gie them a' the sack.

b. dat. inf. (with to) to give /tʊ ɡɪv/; in Old English tó ge(a)fanne, gifenne, gyfene, Middle English to ȝifene, ȝivende, yevene.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt., Contents 16/15 To brenganne uel to geafanne.1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1109 Ðær wurdon..þa aðas gesworene his dohter þam Casere to gifene.c1160 Hatton Gosp. Matt. xiv. 7 Ða be-het he mid aþe, hire to ȝyfene swa hwæt swa hyo hine bæde.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 119 Fir haueð on him þre mihtes, on to ȝiuende hete, oðer to ȝiuende liht [etc.].1340 Ayenbite (1866) 114 Oure guode fader þet is zuete and milde uor to yeuene. 2. indicative present a. 1st person singular give. Forms:

α. Old English -gefo, -geofu, Middle English ȝefve, ȝeove, Middle English ȝeve.c825 Vesp. Psalter xxi. 26 Gehat min dryhtne ic ageofu.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xviii. 21 Ic forgefo him wið sefo siða.] a1225 Juliana 19 Nawiht ne ȝeoue ich for inc nowðer.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 9513 Mine dohter ich him ȝefue Genuis to sehte and to sibbe.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xv. 89 Ich ȝeue [B. xii. 146 ȝif] þe fyue shyllinges.

β. Old English gife, giefe, Middle English ȝife, Middle English ȝive, Middle English yive, ȝif.OE Cynewulf Crist II 478 Ic lufan symle læste wiðeowic, ond eow meaht giefe ond mid wunige, awo to ealdre.OE Genesis 679 Gife ic hit þe georne.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14594 Ich ȝiue þe ane eorl-dom.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 283 Þe þridde del mi kinedom ich giue þe to be mi fere.c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 31 To hem yive I feyth.

γ. Middle English–1500s gif, 1500s gyve, geve, Middle English– give.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 1930 Til ȝou..Min brod benisun i giue [Fairf. geue].a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15252 Þe gift þat I yow here gif nu.c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 16 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 7 To þe I gyff þe keys of hewyne. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 86 I gif him to the devill of hell.a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. H.vv I gyue me to all men.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xxiii. B As for the felde..I geue [1611 giue] it the.

b. 2nd person singular givest /ˈɡɪvɪst/. Forms:

α. Old English Northumberland -gefes, Middle English ȝevest, Middle English yefst, Middle English yevest, ȝees, Middle English yeves.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke ii. 29 Nu forletes uel forgefes esne ðin.] a1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 185 Þu þet ȝeuest hire liht.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 93 Þine zuetnesse þet þou..yefst to þine uryendes.c1420 Anturs of Arth. xiv Those at thou ȝees [Douce. Of that þou yeues] at thi ȝate.

β. Old English gifest, gifst, Middle English ȝifst, Middle English ȝivest, Middle English ȝyvest.c1000 Ags. Ps. lxxix. 5 Þu..us drincan gifest.c1000 Ælfric Genesis xv. 2 Hwæt gifst þu me?c1200 Vices & Virtues (1888) 77 Ȝif ðu ȝifst ðo manne ðe gaf [sic: ? read ȝaf] ðe.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. xv. 13 Whom with freedam thow ȝyuest.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 971 Lord he seide þou ȝyuest al.

γ. Middle English gifes, gives, gyffis, gis, Middle English ges, 1500s gevest, 1600s– givest.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 971 ‘Lauerd,’ he said, ‘þu gifes [Fairf. ges] all.’a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16106 Quin giues þou þaim answar?c1480 (a1400) St. Mary Magdalen 315 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 265 Þu..nocht gyffis þame of þi gud.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxliv. [cxlv.] 15 Thou geuest [1611 giuest] them their meate in due season.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2089 Thow ges matir to men mony day after, fforto speke of þi spede.

c. 3rd person singular gives /ɡɪvz/, archaic giveth /ɡɪvɪθ/. Forms:

α. Old English -gefes, Middle English ȝeveð, ȝefeð, Middle English ȝefþ(e, ȝev-, yeveth, -ys, -yth, -yþ.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. vi. 15 Ne fader iuerre forgefes synna iuerre.] c1175 Lamb. Hom. 19 Nimað ȝeme..hwilche ȝife he us ȝefeð.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 137 Ure lauerd god almihten..ȝeueð him his blescunge.c1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 239 And ryȝt as þis lampe ȝefth gret lyȝt.c1440 Partonope 3213 Precious stones she yeuys [printed yenys] me.c1440 Partonope 8736 Leve to wende He yeuyth [printed yenyth] hem thurgh the Rewme of fraunce. ▸ c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 264 The seid preier of Iohun ȝeuith to me the seid xxti. pound.c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 9645 To eche man she yevyþ wille Right to haue good and ille.

β. Old English giefeþ, gifeþ, gifþ, Middle English ȝiefð, Orm. ȝifeþþ, Middle English ȝif(þ, ȝiveþ, Middle English ȝyveth.OE Cynewulf Crist II 604 He us æt giefeð ond æhta sped, welan ofer widland.c1000 Ags. Ps. lxvii[i]. 12 God gifeð gleaw word godspellendum.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 97 He..ȝifð heom forȝifnesse..Summe Men he ȝif wisdom and speche.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2795 Drihhtin ȝifeþþ haliȝ witt. Þa menn þatt wel himm follȝhenn.a1200 Moral Ode 146 in Trin. Coll. Hom. Al to diere he hit abuið þe ȝiefð þar-fore his swiere.c1230 Hali Meid. 7 Þis ure lauerd ȝiueð ham her as on erles of þe eche mede þat schal cume þrafter.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. vii. 80 He that ȝiueth.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. iv. 341 The ȝifte that god ȝyueth.

γ. Middle English Orm. gifeþþ, Middle English geves, gif(e)s, -ith, giffis, gis(e, givis, -ys, gyves, Middle English gyfez, 1500s geves, ghewys, gyvs, Middle English–1500s gev-, gyveth, -yth, 1800s Scottish and dialect gies, Middle English– giveth, Middle English– gives.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 11314 Forr ȝure wuke gifeþþ ȝuw. Aȝȝ sexe werrke daȝȝess.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 24751 Þat gifes me lust of hir to rede.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 29240 Pape allan, On man he gise [c1425 Galba gifes] til his pouste.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18650 He gifs his quelpe lijf to rise.a1400–50 Alexander 1662 He..Gyfez þaim garisons of gold & of god stanez.1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xxxvii. 60 He gyueth vs it both by writynges and by lawe.1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 9 Myn hert gyueth it me.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 227 Fredome all solace to man giffis.1503 tr. Kalendayr Shyppars sig. eviii The qwych ghewys vs certanyte of the way of salwt. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 144 Sum gevis for pryd and glory vane. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 145 Sum givis to strangeris.a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 31 Then vertue..gyvyth to man hye felycyte.1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 73 Olde Norway..Giues him three thousand crownes.1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun (new ed.) i. 19 To show what diff'rence stands 'Tween him that gets, and gi'es commands.

d. plural give. Forms:

α. Old English -geafað, -gefæs, Middle English yeven, Middle English ȝeveþ.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xiv. 12 Ðonne..eostro asægcas uel ageafað.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xi. 4 Gif..we forgefæs..scyldge us.] a1475 Bk. Quinte Essence (1889) 17 Experience techiþ þat colerik men ȝeueþ to summe ymagynaciouns.1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer Prol. f. cccxxv Afterwarde the syght of the better colours yeuen to hem more ioye for the first leudenesse.

β. Old English gifað, Middle English Orm. ȝifenn, Middle English ȝyve, ȝyveþ, -en, yueþ, Middle English yive.a1000 Hymns (Gr.) vii. 102 Swa we her [some] gifað earmon mannum.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 15380 Þær affterr ȝifenn þeȝȝ þe follc. Ȝet werrse win to drinnkenn.1340 Ayenb. 265 Nou broþren and zostren y-hyreþ my red and yueþ youre.c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 67 Þei ȝyve to symple men.c1394 P. Pl. Crede 114 And in pouertie praien for all oure parteners Þat ȝyueþ vs any good. a14001 [see γ. forms]. c1400 Rom. Rose 5788 With sorwe they bothe dye and live, That to richesse he hertis yive.

γ. Middle English gif(s, gyven, Middle English giffen, gife, gifves, gyffon, Middle English–1500s gyve, -eth, 1500s ge(e)ve, 1500s– give.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5148 Þai ar cled in riche pall, And gifs [Fairf. gyuen, Trin. Cambr. ȝyuen] þair giftes ouerall.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3114 To lare o godd gif [Gött. giue] þai na tent.?1476 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 35 The judges gifues [printed gifnes] her no favour, for they say [etc.].c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxviii. 235 It is a sayenge that they that gyue are euer welcome.1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 18 The prynces of the worlde gyueth worldly rewarde to her praysers.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3668 To Agamynon þai giffen þe gouernaunce hole.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12002 The grekys full glad gyffon to red.1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxjv Wee geue t[h]ankes to thee for thy greate glory.1562 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid ix. A a ij b The Troyans dastard harts..neither geeue them dare in open field, nor fierce outbreake In armes.1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 239 With vs the wemen giue their mouth to be kissed.

3. indicative past a. 1st and 3rd person singular gave /ɡeɪv/. Forms:

α. Old English gæf, Middle English iaf, Middle English ȝaf(f(e, (Middle English ȝave, ȝof), Middle English–1500s yaf(e, Middle English yave, (Middle English yove).c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke ix. 42 [He] gehælde ðone cnæht & Agæf hine fæder his.] c1000 Ags. Ps. lxvi. 5 Eorþan sealde [v.r. gæf] wæstm his.1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1132 And te king iaf ð(et) abbotrice an prior of S' Neod.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 15498 Þe blinde ȝaff he wel to sen.c1300 Beket 296 As God ȝaf that cas.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3912 Þe grace þat god him ȝof.1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxv. 71 He yaue hym vnderstandyng.c1420 Chron. Vilod. 273 Of oþer wordelyche honour ȝaff he ryȝt nouȝt.c1440 Partonope 2740 He yafe golde, selver, and also coine.c1508 Syr Lamwell in F. J. Furnivall R. Laneham's Let. (1871) Introd. 30 Sir landevale..yaf yeftes largely.

β. Old English geaf, Middle English ȝiaf, Middle English ȝef, Middle English yeaf.OE Cynewulf Elene 365 Hwæt, we þæt gehyrdon þurh halige bec þæt eow dryhten geaf dom unscyndne.a1175 Cott. Hom. 223 Þat wif..ȝiaf hire were and he æt.a1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 197 Ich..ȝef ðe al mi suluen.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2600 The kyng ȝef is men grete ȝiftes.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 81 Al þe uayrhede þet þet body heþ: þe zaule hit yeaf.

γ. Middle English (1800s dialect) gov, Middle English gaf(e, gaaf(f, -ffe, gaffe, Middle English geaf, Middle English, 1500s Scottish gef, Middle English–1500s geve, 1500s gayf, Scottish gaif, 1700s Scottish gae, Middle English– gave. Also weak form 1600s–1700s, 1800s dialect gived, 1700s–1800s Scottish gied.a1300 Cursor Mundi 603 He gafe him..a luuesum land.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 458 Criste willefully gafe tribute to þo emperoure.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15228 Vp he lift his hali hand, and gaf [Gött. geue] þe benisun.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4393 Sco gaue a cri þat all moght here.a1400–50 Alexander 5157 Scho gaffe skirmand skrikis.c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 370 He..lyfte vp his honde, & gef hym Goddeȝ blessyng.c1480 (a1400) Prol. 112 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 4 God gaff þame sic mycht.1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xi. 282 Whan he had sayd this, he..gaaffe hym the monkes hode vpon his hede.1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 268 He..gaif them bayt thair paikis.1579 G. Fenton tr. Guicciardini Hist. (1618) 21 The Pope..gaue shew that there could be laid no firme ground of their reconciliation.1776 C. Keith Farmer's Ha' 35 The bridegroom gae me great commands To bring ye down.1871 C. Gibbon For Lack of Gold II. v. 82 He came wi' a letter that he gied me for the miller's daughter, Annie.

b. 2nd person singular gavest. Forms:

α. Old English géafe, géfe, Middle English ȝef, Middle English ȝeve.c1000 Ags. Ps. lxviii[i]. 27 Hi..ehtan ongunnon ðe þu him earfoðu ænig geafe.a1240 Wohunge in Cott. Hom. 271 Þu ȝef þe seluen for me to lese me fra pine.c1300 Harrow. Hell 92 The appel that thou ȝeve hym.

β. Middle English ȝaf, ȝave, yave, ȝavest.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. iii. 12 The woman whom thow ȝaue me felow, ȝaue to me of the tree.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xvi. 21 Thou..ȝauest hem.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 10485 Þou..a worþi son hir ȝaue [c1460 Laud yaue; Vesp., Gött. gaf].

γ. Middle English gaf(s, gave, 1500s– gavest.a1300 Cursor Mundi 971 ‘Lauerd!’ he said, ‘þou gafs [? gaf us] al’.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14056 To mi fete [þu] gaf [Fairf. gaue, Trin. Cambr. ȝaf] water nan.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. iii. C The woman which thou gauest me.a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) i. i. 92 Pro. But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter to Iulia?

c. plural gave. Forms:

α. Old English géafon, géfon, Middle English Orm. ȝæfenn, Middle English ȝe(e)ve(n, (Middle English ȝefven, ȝeove).OE Crist III 1353 Ge hyra hulpon ond him hleoð gefon, hingrendum hlaf ond hrægl nacedum.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 12733 & teȝȝ himm þa Þuss ȝæfenn sware onn ȝæness.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10602 Heo bittere swiþen ȝefuen [c1300 Otho ȝeuen] mid axes & mid sweordes.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2728 Ȝisles heo him ȝeouen sone.c1305 St. Christopher 180 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 64 Þis wimmen ȝeue him liȝt ansuere, as hi ne ȝeue of him noȝt.

β. Middle English iafen, Middle English ȝouen, yaf(f, Middle English ȝaf, ȝave(n, ( ȝofen), Middle English ȝavun.1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1137 And did ælle in prisun til hi iafen up here castles.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 844 He..gouen him gouel of here lond.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Matt. xiii. 8 Other seedis felden in to good lond, and ȝauen fruyt.1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) iii. iv. 51 In this matere olde Phylosophers yaaf dyuers and as it were contrary domes.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 19580, l. 19581 Whenne seyntis ȝaf her malisoun Þei ȝaf hit noon bi euel wille.a1400 Prymer (St. John's Cambr.) (1891) 38 Thei ȝofen hym drinke galle. ▸ c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 459 The Apostlis ȝauun sum wey or ground wherbi tho makers myȝten weel knowe.c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 17440 A somme of pens gadird they And yaff to knyghtes.

γ. Middle English Orm. gæfenn, Middle English–1500s gaf(e, Middle English–1500s gaff(e, Middle English gef(e, geven, -yn, goven, 1500s Scottish gaif, Middle English– gave. Also weak forms 7–9 as in a γ.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 8211 Þeȝȝ gæfenn heore shorrte lif Forr eche lifess blisse.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 19043 At þair gain come mete þai gaue [Gött. gaf, Trin. Cambr. ȝaue; c1460 Laud yaff].a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13708 All þai gaf him list ilkan.a1400–50 Alexander 1070 Sagittarius forsoth men gafe it to name.a1400–50 Alexander 2327 All europe to my empyre enterly þai geven.c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) ii. 5 Þe spounge and þe rede of whilk þe Iewes gafe oure Lord to drynke.c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 659 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 148 Þan al þe prestis gef a ȝell.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6436 Mony strokes, in þat stoure, þo stithe men hym gefe.1786 R. Burns Poems 60 Ye..gied the infant warld a shog.

4. subjunctive present give. Forms:

α. Old English gefe, geofe, Middle English ȝefe, Middle English ȝeve, Middle English ȝef, yeve.c825 Vesp. Psalter lx[i]. 9 Ðaet ic agefe gehat min.871–89 Charter 45 in Old Eng. Texts 452 Þonne ageofen hio þa ilcan elmessan.] c950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xvi. 2 He uoenas [þæt] geafa..he gefe uel geselle gode.c1000 Ags. Ps. lviii[i]. 1 Nymð þu me ræd geofe.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 67 God us ȝefe mihte and deden.a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 52 Iesu Crist, heouene kyng, ȝef vs alle god endyng.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 328 Ȝif God ȝeve him beyng and sustenaunce to his lif.c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 9763 He hem yeve his beneson That gladly heryþ this sermon.

β. Old English gife, Middle English Orm. ȝife, Middle English ȝyve, Middle English ȝif, yive.OE Andreas (1932) 388 Lean forgilde, weoruda waldend, ond þe wist gife, heofonlicne hlaf, swa ðu hyldo wið me ofer firigendstream freode gecyðdest!a1200 Moral Ode 395 Crist ȝyue us leden her swilc lif and habben her swilc ende.a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 1450 Dame, God yive the howe!

γ. Middle English Orm. gife, Middle English gif, Scottish giff, Middle English–1500s geve, Middle English– give.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 9293 Gife he ðatt an summ oþerr mann. Þatt iss wiþþutenn kirrtell.a1300 Cursor Mundi 1947 To doghty thues lok þou þe gif.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4946 If yee giue [Trin. Cambr. ȝyue] dome, þan sal þai hing.c1480 (a1400) St. Machor 1358 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 39 Quhill god..þi full far crowne þe giff in hewine to þi werdoune.a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 2666 He geve hvs his blessing.

5. subjunctive past gave. Forms: Middle English Orm. ȝæfe, Middle English gof, gove.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 12015 Alls iff þe laferrd ȝæfe þuss Anndswere onn ȝæn þe deofell.a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2348 God for his grete grace gof i hadde now here horse &..harneys.a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1648 So god for his grace goue y hadde. 6. imperative give. a. singular. Forms:

α. Old English gef, gief, Middle English ȝief, Middle English ȝef, Middle English yef, Middle English ȝe(e)ve, ȝe, yeve.c825 Vesp. Psalter xxvii. 4 Agef edlean heara him.] c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. v. 39 Gif hua ðec slaes in suiðra ceica ðin, sel uel gef him & ðy oðera.c1000 Hymns (Gr.) v. 10 Ðu us freodom gief.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13014 Lauerd ȝef [c1300 Otho ȝem] me grið.c1420 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 41 Yeue thy cruell iugement ageyn thys traytour.c1420 Chron. Vilod. 122 Syre Kyng..Some meyte ȝemme for charyte.c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 547 Yef hem comyn ynough, & baume her pennys.c1450 How Wise Man tauȝt Sonne (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 49 Ȝeeue þee not to ydilnesse.a1475 Bk. Quinte Essence (1889) 12 Sette it wiþinne a pott of watir, and ȝeue vndirneþe a fier til þe watir of blood be distillid.

β. Old English–Middle English gif, Middle English Orm. ȝiff, Middle English ȝif, Middle English ȝyve, yue, Middle English yf, yff.c1050 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) 8 303 Nim þa þreo þe þær synt to lafe, & gif maio.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5224 Ȝiff me nu þatt twifalde gast.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 27 Ȝif [MS. gif] us to dai ure daihwamliche bred.1340 Ayenb. 271 Yue wyl be wyþdraȝynge þet he [flesh] clensy.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3293 Mayden he seide ȝyue me drynke. ▸ c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 7 Þe hungre ȝif mete.c1450 Guy Warw. (C.) 2758 Yf me thy cowncell nowe.a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 2009 God, that died vppon the Rode, Yff grace, that she mete with good!

γ. Middle English gif(f(e, gyf(f, 1500s geve, gyve, 1700s–1800s Scottish and dialect gie, Middle English– give.1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 111 Yat gyff yam grace to ouer-come ere enmys.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 968 O þi winning giue [Gött. gif, Trin. Cambr. ȝyue] me þe tend.a1400–50 Alexander 4184 Giffe þam siluer.1539 C. Tunstall Serm. Palme Sondaye (1823) 97 Gyue you to prayer.1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Mattyns f. i Geue vs this daye oure dayly bread.1787 R. Burns Death & Dr. Hornbook xi, in Poems (new ed.) 58 Come, gie's your news!

b. plural. Forms:

α. Old English -geafas, Middle English yeveth, ȝeveth, Middle English yeve.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xi. 25 Forletas uel forgeafas gif huæt gie habbað wið huelc huone.] a1300 Havelok 911 But yeueþ me inow to ete.c1420 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 77 Consyder the cryme, and yeue your sentence.

β. Old English -gifað, Middle English -ȝyfeð, Middle English ȝyve(þ, ȝife(th.c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) xi. 25 Forgifaþ [Hatton MS. forgyfeð] gif ge hwæt agen ænigne habbað.] a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6138 Gooþ & ȝyueþ [Fairf. geues] me ȝoure benesoun.a1425 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Christ Church Oxf.) (1850) Deeds viii. 19 Ȝifeth [c1384 Douce 369(2) Ȝyue ȝe to me and this power].

γ. Middle English geves, gis, gives, Middle English ges, 1500s– give.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5189 ‘Gis [Fairf. giues] me mi clathes,’ þan he said, ‘And hastelik þat we be graid.’c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13553 Bes gracius, for goddes loue, ges me som part.1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iii. iii. 86 This is the latest parley weele admit: Therefore to our best mercie giue your selues.

7. present participle giving. Forms:

α. Old English geafend, Middle English ȝeving.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. Prol. 16/3 gebreingendum uel geafendum.c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 9 Dubli grauntid & dubli ȝeuing.

β. Old English gifend, Middle English ȝyvynge.a1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 244/7 Frugalis largus, gifend.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Num. xi. 25 Takynge of the spiryt that was in Moses, and ȝyvynge to the seuenty men.

γ. Middle English–1500s gif-, gyfand(e, 1500s geving, gewing, geavinge, gyvynge, 1500s– giving.c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. (1866) 1 (note) Þis name es swete, & Ioyful gyfand sothfast comforth vnto mans hert.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18544 To þe wode, gifand þair hele.1533 C. Wriothesley Chron. (1875) I. 22 And the residue geavinge among the lordes and ladies.1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxiii. 21 Ay geuing the quhat thing that thow wald haif.

8. Past Participle given /ɡɪv(ə)n/. Forms:

α. Old English geben, Middle English yȝeve, Middle English yef, ȝefun, Middle English ( i-)ȝeve(n, -in, -un, Middle English ( ȝe)ȝevyn, ( y)-yove(n, -yn, ȝove(n, -un, yevyn(e, (Middle English ? ȝeifin, yewyn), Middle English–1500s yeve(n), 1500s yeaven, 1500s–1700s yeoven.c725 Corpus Gloss. 1086 Inpendebatur, geben wæs.c825 Vesp. Psalter lxiv. 2 Ðe bið agefen gehat.] c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13470 Þer wes moni dunt iȝeuen [c1300 Otho iȝeue].?a1300 Solomon & Saturn 273 Betere is appel yȝeue þen y-ete, quoþ Hendyng.c1300 Harrow. Hell 179 Ich have ȝeve mi lyf For the.c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 980 Þe dome was ȝouen sikerliche.1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 73 Þenke and have mynde what oure Lorde haþ y-ȝeve the.c1410 N. Love tr. Bonaventura Mirror Life Christ (Gibbs MS.) iii Ȝyftes of grace that sche hadde herde ȝeuen to hyre þat neuere weren ȝouen to creature byfor.1415 T. Walwayn in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 20 Þat other half be ȝeifi [? read ȝeifin] to the maryage of yonge pore wommen. ▸ c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 74 What..power of heering hath God ȝoue to man.c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 16727 The dome that is yovyn [a1400 Vesp. giuen] to vs we haue yt with right.1473 J. Warkworth Chron. 10 Kynge Edwarde hade..yevyne to hym the erledome.c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) v. 578 Kynde nobley of kynred me yovyn hase.1551–2 in Aungier Syon Mon. (1840) 94 Yeoven under our signet at our pallaice of Westminster.1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha i. xvi. 107 Yeouen at Ightham aforesaid vnder my seale.1592 Counterpart of Lease (Brasenose Coll. Oxf. Archives) (Hurst Cal. of Munim. 13, Ivington 25) Yeaven.1780 Lease (Brasenose Coll. Oxf. Archives) (Hurst Cal. of Munim. 34, Benefices 9) Yeoven.

β. Old English gibaen, gifen, gyfen, Middle English ȝyven, Middle English Orm. ȝifenn, Middle English iȝive(n, Middle English iffen, ȝiv-, yive(n, yȝif.a700 Epinal Gloss. 525 Inpendebatur, gibæn uuæs.OE Crist III 877 Swa on syne beorg somod up cymeð mægenfolc micel, meotude getrywe, beorht ond bliþe. Him weorþeð blæd gifen!OE Beowulf 1678 Ða wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince..on hand gyfen.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 4018 Drihhtin haffde ȝifenn himm. Swillc blettcinng.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 90 Hwer wes efer iȝeuen to ani blodleten swa poure pitance.a1250 Owl & Nightingale 551 Ich the habbe i-ȝive ansvare.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 434 God forbede þat lordship ȝyven of þe emperor shulde chaunge or destrie þis lawe of Crist.c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women 1538 As wolde almighty god that I had yive [v.r. iyive] My blood and flesh.c1400 Rom. Rose 6686 A man..That al his good to pore hath yiven.1484 Cov. Leet Bk. 519 Of which somme x li. was yffen to theym aȝeyn.

γ. Middle English Orm. gifenn, Middle English Scottish gefin, -yne, geffine, gevine, gewin(e, geyffine, gyfine, gyffine, -yne, Middle English–1500s geve(n, gevyn(e, gifen, giffen, -yn, gifhen, give, -in, gyffen, gyven, -yn, (Middle English geen, gewyn, gin, Middle English gefyn, geyn, 1500s geaven, Scottish geif, gein, 1600s Scottish gevin, giwin), Middle English ( y)gove(n, -yn, (1500s gave, gwovyn), 1700s–1800s, Scottish gien, 1800s dialect geen, gin, Middle English– given.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 19827 Herodian..Þatt fra filippe ræfedd wass..& gifenn till herode.a1300 Cursor Mundi 1502 Til caym was spused calmana, Als giuen [Fairf. gyuen] to seth was delbora.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21923 Ful iuel-hail es gifen vs wiit.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16814 + 14 Pilat send & told þe Iews He hade geen his body.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3938 Till he had gin him his blissing.a1400–50 Alexander 1883 So þat if be gefyn me þe gre grete glory is my awne.c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 1189 I..ȝerned no more þen watz me geuen [rhymes with dryuen].c1420 Anturs of Arth. xxiii Thou hase..Gifhen hom to Syr Gauan.1469 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 22 The punishment will be grevieous to them, for it is gyffin by a statute.c1480 (a1400) St. Barnabas 76 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 251 To preche goddis word, as is gefyne vs.c1480 (a1400) St. Lawrence 633 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 420 Thre housis, þat gewine ware [etc.].c1480 (a1400) St. George 106 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 179 His douchtir..to þe dragone suld be gyffine.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 317 His landis halyly War gevyn to ye Clyffurd.1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) iii. 102 Whan Reynawde had gyven that stroke, he wente his waye.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xix. 226 Ful mekill grace is to the geyn.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 24 That God of heuen my master has giffen. Browke it well.1503 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 14 §11 Lyvere to be giffyn by any serjauntes at the Lawe at ther makyng.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ix. xii. 31 Geif into drowry.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11978 Myche good hase þe gyffen of his gold red.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12053 Þe prise kyng Achilles, Was grauntid to be grauyn, & gyuyn to his toumbe.1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 30 A generall pardone was gevyne unto theme alle that came that tyme.1567 R. Sempill Deeclaratioun Lordis Iust Quarrell (single sheet) God has gein to thame baith strenth & mycht.a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 54 Liberallie geuen by others.1592 W. Wyrley Capitall de Buz in True Vse Armorie 129 Sense to daintie pleasure quite is giue.1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. E O had she then gaue ouer, Such nectar from his lips she had not suckt.1595 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 92 The pavements shalbe w'th all conveniente expedicion geve in hand wth all.c1600 Wriothesley's Chron. Eng. (1875) I. 75 That the said offring might be geaven incontynent to poore people.1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 127 To reduce decretes wrangouslie gevin be all inferiour Commissars.1786 R. Burns Poems 181 Our billie's gien us a' a jink.1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. x. 210 The gentleman may hae gien ye siller.1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 71 I think he has almost gin again about it.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: A Common Germanic strong verb: Old English giefan (geaf, géafon, giefen) = Old Frisian geva, jeva, Old Saxon geƀan (Middle Dutch and Dutch geven), Old High German kepan, geban (Middle High German and German geben), Old Norse gefa (Swedish gifva, Danish give), Gothic giban < Germanic *geƀan, gaf, gæ̂ƀum, geƀono-. By some the root is identified with that of Lithuanian gabénti to bring, Old Irish gabim I take.In Old English the strictly West Saxon forms of the infinitive and the past participle show the influence of initial g in the substitution of ie (commonly i , y ) for the original e of the root; thus giefan , gifan , gyfan for gefan . In other dialects the e was normal, except where it passed into eo (northern ea ) by u- or o- umlaut; but i occurs very frequently, perhaps owing to the analogy of the 2nd and 3rd person singular present indicative; on the other hand, the regular i of the last-mentioned forms is often replaced by the e of the infinitive. In midland and southern Middle English there are three main forms: ȝiven , ȝeven and ȝeoven . The third of these is rare, and disappears c1200. The relation of the other two forms is obscure, as both sometimes occur in the same text (e.g. in Layamon, where the earlier version favours ȝeven , the later ȝiven , but neither is consistent). In such cases the difference may be merely graphic, and due to an indeterminate vowel. Some texts, however, show an exclusive use of one or other of the forms; thus ȝiven is regular in the Ancren Riwle, while the Ayenbite has only ȝeven . The forms with initial guttural are first recorded in the Ormulum (? north-east midland, c1200), though the forms with ȝ are much more frequent. (Apparent earlier instances with initial g- occur only in manuscripts which confuse g and ȝ.) The g forms, however, certainly originated in the north (though the want of 12th cent. northern texts renders direct proof impossible); and, as they do not admit of being (like the guttural g of begin ) explained as the products of analogy, it seems most probable that they are due to Scandinavian influence. The regular form of the infinitive in early northern texts is gif , give , which rather corresponds to Swedish gifva , Danish give , than to Old Norse gefa . On the other hand, the past participle is at an early date written with e as well as i (gefin , gifin , etc.; see the forms below), and e also appears in some contracted forms as ges (= gives). In the 15th and 16th centuries the form geve (geif , etc.) is common both in English and Scottish writers; Levins (1570) places it along with grieve , sleeve , etc. In the 14–15th cent. the northern forms extended themselves gradually to the midland dialects. Havelok (c1300) has, like the Ormulum, both the ȝ and the g forms; R. Brunne's Handlyng Synne (1303) has only the former, but his Chronicle (c1330), according to the two existing manuscripts, has always g . Langland has both types, well attested by the alliteration, but Chaucer seems to have always written yeve , yaf , and throughout the greater part of the 15th cent. the palatal forms predominate in midland (including East Anglian) as well as in southern writers. The manuscripts of Fortescue have g , which is common also in the London documents after 1430 (Morsbach, Eng. Schriftsprache 98). About 1500 the palatal forms disappear entirely from the literary language, and have left only very faint traces in the modern dialects. In the 14th–15th cent. the past participle was sometimes conformed to the analogy of the e , a , o verbs with -l , -r roots (compare get v.); this took place with both the midland and northern forms, but ȝoven is found more frequently than goven.
Signification.¶General sense: To make another the recipient of (something that is in the possession, or at the disposal, of the subject).The verb seems, from the evidence of Gothic, Old High German, and Old Saxon, to have primarily denoted the placing of a material object in the hands of another person. This application (sense 6), however, does not occur in Old English, and is not very frequent in Old Norse; the usual sense (which is found in all the Germanic languages) is that of freely and gratuitously conferring on a person the ownership of a thing, as an act of bounty. When the notion of ‘free gift’ was not prominent, the word used was usually sell v. (Old English sęllan, Old Norse selja); it may be remarked that according to Prof. Cook's glossary to the Northumbrian gospels, the Latin dare is never rendered by geafa or its compounds, but always by (á-, ge-)sęlla. In early Middle English the verb sell became obsolete except in the limited sense = Latin vendere, and its meanings passed over to give. While, however, give thus acquired a widened sense (for the process of development of which cf. French donner to give:—Latin dōnāre to present), it retained at the same time the specific meaning which it had in Old English In modern English both the wider and the narrower senses are still current, so that while give may be used as an antithesis of sell, pay, or lend, it may also be contextually equivalent to any of those verbs.
The construction, wherever nothing is said to the contrary, is with to (unto) or dative.
I. transitive. To bestow gratuitously.
1.
a. To hand over (a thing) as a present; to confer gratuitously the ownership of (some possession) on another person (with or without actual delivery of the object).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (intransitive)]
giveOE
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)]
forgivec900
giveOE
besetc1230
deala1250
i-yevec1275
to give (requite, etc.) into one's bosomc1386
yarka1400
wevec1400
yatec1400
administera1425
bequeathc1440
employa1492
exhibit1548
communicate1553
endue1587
cast1612
hand1650
to lay on1942
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > hand to or put before a person
i-taechec888
reacheOE
giveOE
takec1300
to hand over1652
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give as a present or make a present of
giveOE
putc1330
skink1508
bestow1535
gift1619
donate1845
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > confer
giveOE
doOE
confer1542
feoff1571
infer1589
collate1591
instate1647
accede1818
OE Beowulf 1719 Nallas beagas geaf Denum æfter dome.
c1160 [see ].
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 291 Þiluue heseið oðer hit is foto [read forto] ȝeouen allunge. oðer to sullen.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 281 Þach ich ȝeue [L. distribuero] poure al þet ich hefde.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 70 Muche lond he him ȝef.
1297 [see β. forms].
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 16 Euery brother and sister shal yeuen ye pouer brother or syster a ferthyng in ye woke.
1480–1 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 10th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Marquis of Ormonde &c. (1885) 315 in Parl. Papers (C. 4576-I) XLII. 1 That no parson..yeve, sill, or lende..ony crosbow.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 440 Good sir, this ring was giuen me by my wife. View more context for this quotation
c1600 [see γ. forms].
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 107. ⁋3 A fine Woman, who distributed Rewards and punishments in giving becoming or unbecoming Dresses to her Maids.
1827 T. Jarman Powell's Ess. Learning of Devises (ed. 3) II. 21 The giving lands to a corporation for their own benefit barely as an aggregate body, is not a charitable use.
1899 N.E.D. at Give Mod. I won't give you the book, but I will either lend it you, or sell it you, whichever you like.
absolute.c1200 Vices & Virtues 11 Ac ðat we sculen bliðe~liche ȝiuen and leanen.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 245 He is se vnimete large þet him nis nan þing leouere þen he muȝe ifinden acheisun forto ȝeouen.a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Prov. xxi. 26 He that is a iust man schal ȝyue and shal not ceesse.c1450 How Good Wijf (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 37 Ȝeue of þin owne good, and be not to hard.a1500 Syr Peny 70 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 164 Peny may both rede and gyffe.1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 256 If you cannot give, be daily in prayers.a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. iv. 81 When Maidens sue Men giue like gods. View more context for this quotation1664 H. More Antidote Idolatry To Rdr. §12 The Knight put his hand into his pocket, and gave them liberally.1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters IV. 93 The whole heart of Nature seems thirsting to give.1873 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxvii, in Monthly Packet Sept. 233 She gave largely to hospitals, and decorated churches.
b. To render (a benefit or service) without payment.
ΚΠ
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 305 We gave him his Passage, that is to say, bore his Charges.
1899 N.E.D. at Give Mod. He has charged only for the material; he has given his labour.
2.
a. To confer, grant or bestow (a favour, honour, office, privilege, etc.). Also in indirect passive.
ΚΠ
1154 [see α. forms].
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8866 All þee bissopriches..he ȝef al clene þere, & alle þe abbeies þer to so that iȝiue me nuste So vale neuere at o tyme.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9373 Hu he gaf vs his pardun, scorteli i sal yow tell resun.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Prov. xxvii. 24 But a coroun schal be ȝouun to thee in generacioun and in to generacioun.
1473 J. Warkworth Chron. (Camden) 2 He..confermyd alle the ffraunsches yeve to citeis and townes.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV 227 The rome of Gartier was never geven to no estraunger.
1584 H. Llwyd & D. Powel Hist. Cambria 127 He gaue to the aforesaid Eneon the Lordship of Senghennyth.
1671 in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 24 I have only to begg of your Lordship..to give me the liberty of waiting on you at my returne from Newmarket.
1766 J. Entick Surv. London in New Hist. London IV. 189 Queen Elizabeth gave them another charter to take four human bodies, executed at Tyburn, to anatomize.
1858 W. Porter Hist. Knights Malta II. xix. 173 Any Maltese who desired to free himself from his allegiance to the Grand~master was given a patent.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. lii. 306 Under such a charter the mayor is given power and opportunity to accomplish something.
b. To bestow on or accord to another (one's affection, confidence, etc.). to give one's heart (see heart n. 10).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > belief, trust, confidence > have confidence in, trust [verb (transitive)] > place trust
stretchc1000
repose1538
refer1594
give1599
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iv. ii. 26 I..gaue him what becomd loue I might. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. ii. 9 You mistake my loue, I gaue it freely euer. View more context for this quotation
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 199 Sweet is true love tho' given in vain, in vain.
1899 N.E.D. at Give Mod. He does not readily give a stranger his confidence.
3.
a. Of a higher power, esp. of the Deity: To bestow (a faculty, quality, a physical or mental endowment, a blessing or advantage). Also, to grant to be (so and so) or to do (something), or that, etc. Often in passive and quasi-impersonal.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > endow with qualities or attributes > give a faculty or quality
reacheOE
givea1000
wreaka1586
a1000 Solomon & Saturn 56 Him scippend gaf wuldorlicne wlite.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 19 Crist us ȝef moni freo ȝeue.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 49 He haueð ȝeuen us to beon mud freo.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 35 Adam..forleas þe fiffeald mihten þe god him ȝef þo þe he him shop.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 173 Lauerd ȝef me strencðe to wið stonden.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John vi. 66 No man may come to me, no but it were ȝouun to him of my fadir.
1389 [see γ. forms].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9275 Þe gast þat giues giftes sere.
a1400 Prymer (St. John's Cambr.) (1891) 47 Ȝif to thi seruawntes that pees that the world may nouȝt ȝeue.
c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 663 Clerkys recorde, by gret auctoryte, Hornes wer yove to bestys ffor dyffence.
1483 Vulgaria abs Terencio (T. Rood & T. Hunte) sig. nviiiv Itt is gouyn to hym that all that he dothe plesith.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xix. 226 Whereso thou gone, Ful mekill grace is to the geyn.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxiv. 265 She gaue me agayne that I sholde be the moost fayrest creature of the worlde.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John 39 a So hath he also geuen to his sonne to haue in himselfe the fountayne of all lyfe.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 166 Is not the tongue given for this ende, that one might knowe what an other meaneth?
1625 F. Quarles Sions Sonets iii. sig. B2v Hee takes pleasure in those gifts, hee gaue.
1645 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Bad Times i. viii. 20 If this day be obscure..give me to make it memorable in my soul.
1714 C. Johnson Country Lasses v Gives us an antepast of joys above.
1742–3 Observ. Methodists 15 God gave me to wrestle with him for my Friends.
1794 V. Knox tr. Erasmus Antipolemus 6 She [Nature] gave him [man] alone the power of laughing.
1803 Pic Nic No. 11. 6 Give me to feel thy chearing ray.
1851 F. W. Robertson Serm. 3rd Ser. xi. 135 It was given to the Apostle Paul to discern that this was the ground of unity.
b. Used in the expression of a wish, God, Christ give, etc. †Also, when the wish is beyond granting = Would that…!
ΚΠ
OE [see β. forms]. a1200 [see β. forms].
c1300 Beket (Percy Soc.) 1723 God ȝeve hit were so.
a1350 [see α. forms]. a1400 [see β. forms].
1458 in J. H. Parker Some Acct. Domest. Archit. (1859) III. 44 Now God geve us grace to folowe treuthe even.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope v. ix Sayenge to hym in this manere Syre kynge god yeue good helthe.
1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 35 God geve thee all felicitie my sonne.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 13 Well, God giue them wisedome that haue it. View more context for this quotation
c. give me v. used as an expression of strong preference or approbation; = ‘what I would have is ——’, ‘I am for ——’, ‘commend me to ——’, etc.
ΚΠ
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. v. 151 Giue me them that will face me. View more context for this quotation
1633 G. Herbert Content in Temple iv Give me the pliant minde, whose gentle measure Complies and suits with all estates.
1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical iv. 43 Let what will happen on't, give me for my Money the Female Sollicitor.
1775 P. Henry Speech Mar. in Wirt Life (1818) 123 I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
1840 E. Bulwer-Lytton Money i. v. 21 Give me the good old times.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 89 I hate a boisterous life. Give me the calm of Tempe where no wind Blows on the vine-stocks roughly.
4. To assign the future ownership of (property) by testament; to bequeath or devise. (In legal documents conjoined with synonymous verbs: to give and bequeath, to give and devise.)
ΘΚΠ
society > law > transfer of property > testamentary disposition > bequeath by will [verb (transitive)]
leaveOE
bequeath1066
queatha1325
let1340
dowc1374
bequest1394
wit1394
devise1395
give1420
willc1460
test1491
legacy1546
legate1546
league1623
legatee1797
1420 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 45 I ȝewe to Iohn Forster my godsonne a becure of seluer y-keueryd.
c1430 Syr Gener. 7398 His yongest sonne, after his day He hath yoven him Tharse without nay.
1538 T. Starkey Will in Lett. (1878) 8 (note) I geve to..my lorde Montague, foure pounds.
1784 S. Johnson Will Codicil To Bennet Langton, Esq., I give and bequeath my Polyglot Bible.
1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 175 With respect to the words necessary to create a devise of lands, the proper and technical words are, give and devise.
5. Of a parent or guardian: To sanction the marriage of (a daughter or female ward). Now only more explicitly to give in marriage; formerly also †to give in hand. Cf. to give away at Phrasal verbs 1. [A prominent Common Germanic sense: compare Old English gifta plural, marriage: see gift n.1]
ΚΠ
a855 Anglo-Saxon Chron. an. 853 Ond þæs ofer Eastron geaf Æþelwulf cyning his dohtor Burgrede cyninge of Wesseaxum on Merce.
1154 [see ]. a1300 [see γ. forms]. a1375 [see β. forms].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12694 Was anna giuen to salomas.
c1440 [see α. forms].
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 934 I have a dowghttyr þat ys me dere..I wille geve here in [hand].
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII 22 Because the lady was of that age, that she coulde neither be geven nor yet taken in mariage.
1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum 30 Angels..marrie not, nor are in mariage giuen.
1600 2nd Pt. Marchants Daughter of Bristow Her gentle maister she desirde, to be her father, & at church to giue her then.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 257 Take not a wife of another Law nor give your daughters to men of another Law.
1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxii, in Monthly Packet Sept. 228 He would not give his daughter in marriage to a stranger.
II. To deliver, hand over (without reference to change of ownership).
6.
a. To deliver or hand (something) to a person, so that he takes it; to put (food or drink) before a person.For figurative colloquial phrases, to give the bag, the mitten, the sack, etc., see the nouns.
ΚΠ
a1175 [see β. forms].
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4920 + 7 Þe byssop yt nolde grante, ac outlych yt wyþ seyde To ȝyue hym þulke holy þyng [the sacrament].
a1300 [see α. forms].
1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Gife a drynke, potare.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 565 Ye endentur till him gaf he.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 804 And þan sho gafe hym a glasse with a good lycour.
1565 T. Harding Answere to Iuelles Chalenge ii. 46 The custome was in some places to geue the Sacrament to infantes..by powring the bloude in to their mowthes.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 180 Giue me some sacke. View more context for this quotation
a1616 [see γ. forms].
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 37 The Letters you gave me to deliver at Breme.
1871 [see γ. forms].
b. With ellipsis of object before an infinitive, to give to eat, to give to drink, †to give to suck. Now only literary.
ΚΠ
c10001 [see β. forms].
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 6191 And yhe wald noght gyfe me at ete.
c1375 XI Pains Hell 280 in Old Eng. Misc. 219 Of aysel and gal ȝe ȝeuen me drenkyn.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John iv. 7 Jhesu seith to hir, Ȝyue to me for to drynke.
c1400 [see γ. forms].
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xxxiii. 55 Loue and honoure thy husbond and lord, as thou dydest this brest that gaf the to sowke.
1862 Temple Bar 4 313 I have given mine enemy to eat when he was a-hungered, and to drink when he was athirst.
1890 Universal Rev. Dec. 503 Having no other way whereby they might give to eat to the children.
c. To administer, ‘exhibit’, as a medicine.
ΚΠ
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 192v A sponefull of it geuen in Wine..wonderfully helpeth the hard labours of women.
a1632 T. Dekker Wonder of Kingdome (1636) iv. ii. 137 Must I give you a Glister?
1811 A. T. Thomson London Dispensatory ii. 405 The quantity..to be given, and the proper period of exhibiting it, require to be regulated with much judgment.
d. With immaterial object: To deliver (a message, etc.). So to give a person (some one's) compliments (also love, kind regards), etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > message > send a message or messenger [verb (transitive)] > pass on (a message)
givea1616
relay1859
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. i. 139 I..from him Giue you all greetings, that a King (at friend) Can send his Brother. View more context for this quotation
1765 W. Hunter in J. Thomson Acct. Life W. Cullen (1832) I. 554 Pray give my best respects to Mrs. Cullen.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. vi. 61 Give my love to Clive.
e. give me v. ——form of words used as a request by a telephone-user to be connected with a specified person, number, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > by means of telephone [phrase] > request for connection
give me1887
1887 J. M. W. Yerrington Trial H. K. Goodwin 26 I heard him call, ‘Give me police station.’
1908 Sears, Roebuck Catal. No. 117. 199/1 Vocal Solos..Hello, Central: Give Me Heaven (sentimental).
1914 Bell Telephone News Mar. 19/1 Subscriber: ‘Give me 1000.’ Operator: ‘What office, please?’
1928 B. Hecht & C. MacArthur Front Page ii. 72 Endicott calling. Gimme a rewrite man.
7. To commit, consign, entrust. Often more fully in figurative phrase to give into the hands of; also to give to keep, to give into the care (also custody) of. to give in charge (see charge n.1 13b); to give into custody, in recent use, to direct a policeman to take (a person) as a prisoner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > commit to care or custody of another
givea1000
beteachc1000
teachc1000
betake1297
trust1340
bekena1375
commenda1382
putc1390
recommanda1393
commitc1405
recommendc1405
resignc1425
allot1473
commise1474
commanda1500
consign1528
in charge (of)1548
credit1559
incommend1574
entrusta1586
aret1590
be-giftc1590
concredit1593
betrust1619
concrede1643
subcommit1681
to farm out1786
confide1861
fide1863
doorstep1945
to foster out1960
a1000 Cædmon's Dan. (Gr.) 5 On Moyses hand wearð wig gifen, wigena mænieo.
a1325 [see β. forms].
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 511 Cristis reule ȝoven to apostlis.
c1430 J. Lydgate Chichev. & Byc. in Dodsley O. Pl. XII. 334 We may wele syng and seyn, allas That we gaf hem the sovrante.
14831 [see γ. forms]. c15401 [see γ. forms].
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 146 You have plaied the verie foole, to give the bestowing of so muche money to a straunger.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 63 Having already given the governement of Leax to Sir Richard Moryson.
1636 E. Dacres tr. N. Machiavelli Disc. 1st Decade T. Livius i. Contents The power of stopping the publique actions of the city, should not be given in the hands of one Counsell, or one Magistracy.
1689 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. i. §94 If the Agreement and Consent of Men first gave a Scepter into any ones hands, or put a Crown on his Head, that also must direct its descent and conveyance.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 139 This Neptune gave him, when he gave to keep His scaly Flocks, that graze the wat'ry deep. View more context for this quotation
1869 T. Hughes Alfred the Great xii. 145 He gave it into the custody of his son-in-law.
1890 Chambers's Jrnl. 17 May 318/1 He was given into custody.
8. To hand over as a pledge. Also figurative (often with mixed notion of branch VI), to pledge (one's word, honour, etc.). †to give a give or gift (that): to give a pledge or assurance (that).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)] > pledge or undertake to give or do
sweara1154
fast?a1160
plightc1275
givec1300
undertake1393
strokea1400
warranta1400
foldc1400
pledge?a1439
affiance1523
pass1528
betroth1573
assume1602
impawna1628
gagea1642
spond1698
guarantee1820
vouch1898
the mind > language > statement > assent > [verb (transitive)]
cordc1380
to give handsa1425
to fall to ——a1450
agree1472
to go into ——1540
astipulate1548
subscribe1560
seal1579
suffragate1606
give1621
assent1637
homologate1644
to take up with1673
affirmative1775
chorus1836
yea-say1887
yes1915
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2880 For ich giue þe a giue, Þat euere more hwil ich liue, For hire shal-tu be with me dere [etc.].
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13481 Þorow þem ys Rome..Halden hed of al þe werd, & so schal be, y gyue ȝow a gyue, Al so longe as y may lyue.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 536 I..leye my loue on þat lud lelly for euere. To god here i gif a gift, it gete schal neuer oþer.
a1400 Sir Perc. 85 And therfore gyffes he a gyfte..That he scholde quyte hym that dynt.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) ii. 143 I giue you my word, he for me shall maintaine this quarrell against you.
1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes 121 We must speake, unless we will give hands to be such as you blazon us for.
1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 75 I'll..gi'e my thumb I'll ne'er beguile thee.
1742 H. Walpole Corr. (1837) I. xxxv. 143 I give you my honor I repeated it over and over to his mother.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 241 What guarantee could he give that he would adhere to his bargain?
1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiv. 378 I gave them the word of a sailor.
1893 Law Times 95 79/2 After the pledge which had been given by the Government, he thought [etc.].
III. To make over as a matter of exchange or debt.
9.
a. To make over to another in exchange for something else, in discharge of a debt or obligation, or with the intention of obtaining some equivalent; to pay (a sum of money); to sell (a thing) for a price.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give in exchange
givec1175
sell?c1225
change1609
c1175 [see γ. forms].
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 213 Þe beggere ecneð his bode, and swereð þat he nele more ȝeuen.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 293 Nalde amon for an of þeos ȝeuen alþet he achte.
c1320 tr. J. Bonaventura Medit. 331 Euyl for gode þey haue me ȝoue.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1500 Quad esau, ‘ful bliðelike!’ And gafe it him wel sikerlike.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. vi. 201 And put hem to werke And ȝaf hem mete as he myȝte aforth and mesurable huyre.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 15409 Quat wil ȝe me to mede giue?
1501 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 84 I will jt be gwovyn to a pryst to synge for me.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 168 Yea at this day in our time, hath been seene geuen for a payre of Pigions .x. li. Flemish.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xxiii. 9 For as much money as it is worth he shall give it me. View more context for this quotation
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 287 An Imperiall Dollar..at my being there [i.e. in Germany] was given for eighteene batzen.
1689 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. §46 He would give his Nuts for a piece of Metal.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary II. ix. 228 The least ye can do is to gie him that o't that's left behind for his labour.
1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 414 A rare Livonian falcon, for which the English noble was ready to give any price.
b. Phrases. to give (one) as good as he brings or one gets, to give (one) his own or his due (see due n. Phrases 2a); cf. also to give a Roland for an Oliver at Roland n. Phrases.
ΚΠ
1691 J. Dryden in W. Walsh Dialogue conc. Women Pref. sig. A4 To give Mankind their own, and to tell them plainly that [etc.].
1703 C. Cibber She wou'd & she wou'd Not i. 4 If I don't give you as good as you bring.
1713 Guardian 27 Aug. 1/2 Having dispatched this Combatant, and given him as good as he brings, I proceed.
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 45 She and I had some Words..; but, I think, I gave her her own.
1773 Life N. Frowde 132 We resolved to give him a Rowland for his Oliver, if he attacked us.
1884 Graphic 15 Nov. 519/3 To which he replied, as if to give me a Roland for an Oliver, that [etc.].
1952 M. Laski Village vii. 123 If there was only someone she could talk to who could give her as good as they got.
1956 A. L. Rowse Early Churchills 408 She answered her grandmother back, gave as good as she got.
1967 A. Christie Endless Night xv. 131 We went on, hammer and tongs..and I pretty well gave her as good as I was getting. Told her she was a bossy, interfering female.
c. Often in hyperbolical statements: one would give the world, etc. See also to give one's right arm to do (also for) something at arm n.1 Phrases 3d, one would give one's back teeth at back tooth n. 2, one would give one's ears at ear n.1 Phrases 1f, (one) would give one's eyes at eye n.1 Phrases 2i(c), (one) would give one's eyeteeth at eyetooth n. Phrases 1.
ΚΠ
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. iv. 135 Many's the Man would have given his Head to have had my Lady told. View more context for this quotation
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xxxviii. 375 Many a girl would give the world to have such a complexion.
1885 ‘F. Anstey’ Tinted Venus 32 He would have given worlds for courage to show it the door.
1893 Family Herald 217/1 They'd give their heads at Scotland Yard for a chance of running you to earth.
†d. to give (little, nought, etc.) of: to value (at little, etc.), care (little, etc.) for. Also, to give no force of, to give no charge of. Obsolete.The origin of these phrases is not clear. Cf. the synonymous German (nichts etc. um, now usually auf, etwas geben) Dutch (niets, weinig etc. om iets geven) Old Norse gefa sèr (mikit, litit) um, which, however, are not formally equivalent. Perhaps give (in sense 9) was substituted in these phrases for other verbs (as tell, hold), the original construction being retained.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > be indifferent or show indifference to [verb (transitive)]
keepc1175
to give (little, nought, etc.) ofc1300
care1526
to cast one's cap at1546
value1591
slight1618
perfunctorize1866
not to give (also care) a fuck1879
to give a motherfuck1967
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 468 Ther offe yaf he nouth a stra.
c1300 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 65 Of þe kirke gaf þei leste.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 10286 Lytel fors of hym þou ȝyues.
c1305 [see α. forms].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 1834 In time þai soȝt him of na grace, and litel gaf of goddis manace.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xxix. 292 Thei ȝive no charge of Aveer ne of Ricchesse.
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 864 Of his commandyng þey ȝeve ryȝt nouȝt.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems 160 Som yeve no fors for to be forsworn.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 567/1 I gyve no force of a thing, I set no store by it, je ne tiens compte.
e. Used in negative contexts with various complements to indicate indifference or unconcern, as in not to give a curse (also damn), etc.; = care v. 4a(b). Cf. damn n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > [verb (intransitive)]
to put in no chaloir1477
not to care1490
to let the world wag (as it will)c1525
not to care a chip1556
to hang loose (to)1591
(to bid, care, give) a fig, or fig's end for1632
not to careor matter a farthing1647
not to care a doit1660
(not) to care twopencea1744
not to give a curse (also damn)1763
not to care a dump1821
not to care beans1833
not to care a darn1840
not to give a darn1840
not to care a straw (two, three straws)1861
not to care (also give) a whoop1867
(to care) not a fouter1871
not to care (or give) a toss1876
not to give (also care) a fuck1879
je m'en fiche1889
not to care a dit(e)1907
je m'en fous1918
not to give a shit1918
to pay no nevermind1946
not to give a sod1949
not to give (also care) a monkey's (fuck)1960
not to give a stuff1974
1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal iii. 26 I would not give a button for my Play.
1763 T. Jefferson Let. 20 Jan. in Papers (1950) I. 7 I do not conceive that any thing can happen..which you would give a curse to know.
1895 J. L. Williams Princeton Stories 165 I don't give a damn for the girl.
1900 Westm. Gaz. 6 Nov. 1/3 Conductors who don't give a curse for the public.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. 550 I don't give a bugger who he is.
1960 F. Raphael Limits of Love i. iii. 32 It'd be a wonderful thing to have a magazine that just didn't give a bugger what it said about anyone.
1969 Advertiser (Adelaide) 12 May 5/4 I don't give a bucket of dandruff for a bloke's lingo.
10. To hand over to a superior (what is due, or is demanded); to pay (taxes, tithes, etc.). Obsolete except with reminiscence of the Biblical use.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > [verb (transitive)] > pay what is due
give1154
1154 [see β. forms].
1388–9 in Wyclif's Sel. Wks. III. 468 Hit ys not to gife dymes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3104 To godd his tend þar gafe he lele.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xxii. f. xxxjv Is it lawfull to yeve tribute vnto Cesar, or not? [1611 giue tribute].
IV. To sacrifice, devote, dedicate.
11.
a. To sacrifice, offer up, submit to the loss of (one's life or possessions) for some object. Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > sacrifice for sake of higher claim
givea1240
immolate1634
sacrifice1706
a1240 [see α. forms].
c1275 in Old Eng. Misc. 186 To deþe he ȝef him for us alle.
a1300 Christ on Cross 22 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 21 Ic mi lif ȝef for þe and i-hang was on tre.
c1300 Harrow. Hell (E.) 189 Y haue ȝouen my liif for þe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13861 Til þai his suete bodi had schedd, And gin him self for vs in wedd.
1475 Bk. Noblesse 81 Youre saide citesins..wille withe here bodies and goodes largelie depart to be yoven forto resist them.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) ii. 129 To reuenge those two seruants of theirs, of whose memorable faith, I told you..in willingly giuing themselues to be drowned for their sakes.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xvii. 56 The Abbots of Peterborough and New Minster..had given their lives in the cause of England.
b. reflexive. Of a woman: to devote (herself) completely to (a man); spec. to accept sexual intercourse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with > specifically of a woman
takea1400
give1860
lay1956
1860 J. W. Palmer tr. M. J. Michelet Love ii. ix. 130 She aspires only to give herself to you, to belong to you still more entirely.
1895 T. Hardy Jude i. ii. 10 Under the hedge which divided the field from a distant plantation girls had given themselves to lovers.
1926 R. Macaulay Crewe Train iii. i. 263 Barbara..gives herself to a young fisherman in Cornwall.
1967 Times 6 Apr. 9/2 A youngish woman making a last bid for emotional adventure, gives herself to a lonely old man in an empty Jamaican hotel.
12. To dedicate, devote, give up, surrender. Also, to ‘consign’ (by way of imprecation) to (the devil, etc.), to commend to (God).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > dedicate or devote to
give1390
vow1526
adhibit1548
dedicate1553
devotea1616
devove1619
devow1626
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 192 Unto thidoles yove and granted.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10661 To godd þan haue i giuen me.
a1400 Octavian (Percy Soc.) 400 To the worlde y wylle me never yeve.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. i. 11 I wil geue him vnto the Lorde all his life longe.
1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Hours Recreat. (1576) 163 He..was mynded desperately to gyve himselfe to the Devill.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. ii. 64 Heere I haue you, thus I let you go, And giue you to the Gods.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 147 Do you thinke though wee would haue..giuen our selues without scruple to hell, that [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. iii. 8 Say that she were gone, Giuen to the fire. View more context for this quotation
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) ii. vii. 379 On his imparting the news to Gowan, that Master gave Mr. Dorrit to the Devil with great liberality.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. ix. 79 He made a resolution to give to God the half of his services..the half of his time, and the half of his money.
13.
a. To apply exclusively, devote to (an action, pursuit, etc.); to addict, devote (oneself) to. (Cf. given adj. 2.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > engage in or busy oneself about > devote oneself to or take time for > devote (a faculty, time, etc.) to
spenda1300
givec1340
applyc1425
bend?1510
consecrate1555
divest1638
invest1837
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 25 Þei shuld oo tyme yevene hem to besynes and worldely thyngis att resonable nede.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3116 To foli giues him man to dai.
1415 [see α. forms]. c1450 [see α. forms].
c1460 Wisdom 945 in Macro Plays 66 My wyll was full yowe to syne.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxxviii. 263 Whan he was yeue to ony occupacion he left al other thyng for the mene tyme and tendid therto.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Yoven or enclined to couetousenes or crueltye.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 23v I gaue my selfe to that exercise.
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xxii. 545 There were twelve that gave Themselves to impudence and light behave.
1688 Bp. G. Burnet Three Lett. State of Italy 22 Many nuns..began..to give themselves much to the practice of Mental Prayer.
1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. vi. 24 To my great task..I gave me wholly.
1855 R. Browning Fra Lippo Lippi in Men & Women I. 40 Trash, such as these poor devils of Medici Have given their hearts to.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. xi. 100 The priests were bidden to..give all their time to their sacred work.
1889 ‘M. Gray’ Reproach of Annesley I. ii. iv. 205 It was important..to give his mind entirely to political affairs.
†b. To apply or set oneself to do something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or busy oneself [verb (reflexive)] > devote or apply oneself
choosea1300
yield?a1366
givea1400
employ1439
applyc1450
poura1500
intend?1504
delivera1533
addict1534
bequeath1558
bend1591
devotea1616
devow1626
surrendera1732
puzzle1751
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10478 Sco gaf hir al to murn and care.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xxvi. vi Towarde the gate [he] gave hym selfe to hast.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Aiiiiv Gaue them selfe to subdue the passions of their bodyes.
1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 233 He hath given him selfe to keepe horses.
1686 R. Parr Life J. Usher 90 A certain English Mechanick..gave himself to read what Books of Practical Divinity he could get.
V. To put forth from oneself.
14.
a. With object a transitive act viewed as a thing ‘given’ by the agent, and ‘received’ by the person or thing affected by it: e.g. to give a kiss, to give a blow, to give a kick, to give a look, to give a push, etc.: also with nouns of gerundial formation, to give a beating, to give a scolding, etc.
ΚΠ
c1275 [see α. forms].
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 174 Bot baysment gef myn hert a brunt.
c1400 [see γ. forms].
?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau Theatrum Mundi O, Did give him so many strokes with ye Hay forke, that [etc.].
1568 [see γ. forms].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. vii. 83 Giue him a box o' th' eare, and that wil make 'em red againe. View more context for this quotation
1661 R. Boyle Some Consider. Style of Script. (1675) 91 Though in all the..stroaks the busie hammer gives the act be still the same yet [etc.].
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 262 Giving the Rasor a philip, [he] opens the Vein very neatly.
1701 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World I. iv. 191 This..will give a rude shock to the prejudice of vulgar minds.
1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest II. vi. 130 Humphrey's only reply was giving a lash to Billy, which set him off at a gallop.
1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 23 Nov. 6/1 I gave him one over the head with my umbrella.
b. Sword exercise. to give the point: to make a direct thrust. to give ‘third point’: see point n.1 19c.
ΚΠ
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iv. 125 Advance the body by extension of the left leg, and give ‘Third Point’.
1893 W. Forbes-Mitchell Reminisc. Great Mutiny 213 MacBean made a feint cut, but instead gave the point, and put his sword through the chest of his opponent.
c. to give a broadside, to give a volley, to give a shot: see the nouns to give fire: see fire n. and int. Phrases 2c. Also to give a gun: to order a gun to be fired; sometimes const. dative (or †to), implying that it is done as an honour, as a help (occasionally as a hostile demonstration). Colloquial phrase to give (her, it, etc.) the gun: to cause (a vehicle) to accelerate; to open the throttle of (an engine). Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military organization > orders > give order [verb (intransitive)] > order gun to be fired
to give a gun1605
1605 Journ. Earl Nottingham in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 541 His Lordship gave many pieces of ordnance, which were again received and answered from the town and forts.
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 24 Wind vp the slaine..giue three peeces for their funerals.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 21 We gaue them a-sterne, two Gunnes as warning peeces of great danger, and tackt about.
1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. lxvi. 266 The Gunners..gave every one a Gun to the Island.
1836 F. Marryat Three Cutters iv, in Pirate & Three Cutters 268 Give her a gun.
1917 B. K. Adams Let. 10 Oct. (1918) 35 He..saw that he wasn't going to even reach the aerodrome, so he gave her the gun, but the engine wouldn't pick up.
1919 Red Cross Mag. Feb. 30/2 He ‘gave her the gun’—speeded up the engine—but the altimeter told him instantly that he was falling fast.
1945 G. Casey in Coast to Coast 1944 6 He gave it the gun and went ahead.
1968 ‘G. Bagby’ Corpse Candle iv. 47 She slid behind the wheel, gave her hearse the gun, swung it around.
d. absol. (elliptical) or intransitive. To deal a blow, make an attack or charge (at, on, upon). Obsolete except in pugilistic language.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (intransitive)]
to lay ona1225
assailc1325
sailc1330
assemblea1375
to fall inc1384
to fall ona1387
givec1430
brunt1440
to set (all) on sevenc1440
to ding on1487
to fall down1534
offend1540
to go on1553
to give on?1611
to let fly1611
strikea1616
insult1638
to set on1670
aggress1708
to carry the war into the enemy's camp1791
hop over1929
c1430 [see β. forms].
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) ii. 64 He..gaaff me wyth his fyst vpon my vysage.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxxxvii. 222 John Mayllart gaue him with an axe on ye heed that he fyll downe to the yerthe.
1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence Phormio Prol., in Terence in Eng. 389 Thus he gives at him.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 159 Being not fit to make good an entrenched campe, and much lesse fit to give upon a breach.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes ii. 141 Merodiana's Knights..gave so furiously on the enemy, that..they layd above three hundred on the earth.
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre iii. 80 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian John furiously giving upon the Enemy with a great shout, one of his life guard was slain by a dart.
1814 Sporting Mag. 44 71 His antagonist gave with his left.
e. To punish (a person) for (doing something), frequently with reference back to what the other person has just said. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)]
threac897
tighta1000
beswinkc1175
punisha1325
chastise1362
paina1375
justifya1393
wage1412
reformc1450
chasten1526
thwart over thumba1529
chastifyc1540
amerce?1577
follow1579
to rap (a person) on the knuckles (also fingers)1584
finea1616
mulcta1620
fita1625
vindicate1632
trounce1657
reward1714
tawse1790
sort1815
to let (a person) have it1823
visit1836
to catch or get Jesse1839
to give, get goss1840
to have ita1848
to take (a person) to the woodshed1882
to give (one) snuff1890
soak1892
give1906
to weigh off1925
to tear down1938
zap1961
slap1968
1906 E. Dyson Fact'ry 'Ands ii. 23 ‘I'll give yeh whisperin' an' tisperin',’ cried Annie.
a1930 D. H. Lawrence Mod. Lover (1934) 216 Hark at her clicking the flower-pots, shifting the plants. He'd give her shift the plants! He'd show her!
f. To play music, esp. jazz, excitingly or enthusiastically; also with out. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > specific style or technique > in jazz
go1926
ride1929
swing1931
tear1932
to play (it) straight1933
groove1935
riff1935
give1936
jumpc1938
to beat it out1945
walk1951
cook1954
move1955
wail1955
stretch1961
1936 Esquire June 92 The singer with the outfit can do with his or her voice just what the soloist can do with his instrument, he can give.
1952 B. Ulanov Hist. Jazz in Amer. xxv. 351 (Gloss.) Give or give out, swing parlance for ‘let yourself go’.
1955 N. Shapiro & N. Hentoff Hear me talkin' to Ya x. 141 We would give out with such tunes as Tiger Rag.
1958 Woman's Own 19 Feb. 22/1 You feel that you're in a real jam session with everybody giving, the joint jumping.
15. (Without indirect object.) To make, esp. suddenly (some bodily movement or gesture); to put forth, emit (a cry, a sound, a sigh, etc.); †to make (an attempt). Also in Middle English †to give one's end: to die.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > gesturing or gesture > make gestures [verb (transitive)]
givec1175
stirc1614
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > [verb (transitive)] > utter
leadOE
givec1175
tell?c1225
talkc1275
to set upa1325
to put outc1350
soundc1374
to give upc1386
pronouncea1393
cough1393
moutha1400
profera1400
forth withc1400
utterc1400
to put forth1535
display1580
vent1602
accent1603
respeak1604
vocalize1669
fetch1707
go1836
outen1951
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3219 Till þatt he ȝaff hiss ende.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xvii. 15 Þe heghest gaf his voice.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14350 On lazaro he gaf a cri, þat all it herd þat stod him bi.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xiv. 229 He yaf a sore sigh.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 280 [They] clapped with their hands and gave a shout.
1583 T. Stocker tr. Tragicall Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Countries i. f.64 He greatly presumed that the banished Lords..woulde giue an attempt to returne into their possessions.
1612 J. Speed Theatre of Empire of Great Brit. i. i. 1/2 Julius Cæsar was the first Romane which euer gaue an attempt to conquere it.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. iv. 177 If a Pistol be shot off in a head remote from the eye of a pit, it will give but a little report.
1666 J. Davies tr. C. de Rochefort Hist. Caribby-Islands 260 They are wont to give a little hem at the end of every three or four periods.
1822 G. W. Manby Voy. Greenland (1823) 16 They..gave three cheers.
1825 New Monthly Mag. 16 132 His teeth gave a short chatter of ridicule.
1833 A. Alison Hist. Europe during French Revol. II. xii. 202 His foot struck against a body, which gave a groan.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam cxxiii. 193 Some bitter notes my harp would give . View more context for this quotation
1859 H. Kingsley Recoll. G. Hamlyn iv Sometimes she gave a stitch or two; but then followed a long gaze out of the window.
1884 M. Crommelin Brown-eyes vii. 78 Her heart gave some beats so quick and loud under her brown bodice.
1889 M. Caird Wing of Azrael II. xx. 76 Geoffrey gave a rueful whistle.
16.
a. To put forth in words; to address (words) to; to make (a reply, answer); to impose and make known, to issue (a command, law, order, direction, etc.); to pronounce (a blessing, curse).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)]
speakc825
queatheOE
forthdoc900
i-seggenc900
sayeOE
speak971
meleOE
quidOE
spella1000
forthbringc1000
givec1175
warpa1225
mootc1225
i-schirea1250
upbringa1250
outsay?c1250
spilec1275
talec1275
wisea1300
crackc1315
nevena1325
cast1330
rehearsec1330
roundc1330
spend1362
carpa1375
sermona1382
to speak outc1384
usea1387
minc1390
pronouncea1393
lancec1400
mellc1400
nurnc1400
slingc1400
tellc1400
wordc1400
yelpc1400
worka1425
utterc1444
outspeakc1449
yielda1450
arecchec1460
roose?a1475
cutc1525
to come forth with1532
bubble1536
prolate1542
report1548
prolocute1570
bespeak1579
wield1581
upbraid1587
up with (also mid) ——1594
name1595
upbrayc1600
discoursea1616
tonguea1616
to bring out1665
voice1665
emit1753
lip1789
to out with1802
pitch1811
go1836
to open one's head1843
vocabulize1861
shoot1915
verbal1920
be1982
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10665 Ure laferrd..Ȝaff himm anndswere. & seȝȝde.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28359 Þis sin es cald presumpciun, þat crist gaf til his malisun.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1570 Fader dere, bidde ic ðe Ðat sum bliscing gif ðu me.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 5 Almiȝti god yaf ten hestes ine þe laȝe of iewes.
a14003 [see γ. forms].
1497 J. Alcock Mons Perfeccionis (de Worde) A ij Gaaf his elect & belouid dyscyples his blessynge.
1532 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) I. 344 According to your high commawndment to me youyn yesterdaye.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. xix A Spanyard gaue euill language to the Englisheman.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 137 They..make hym at his wittes ende, through the sodaine..frumpe given.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Caecina in Panoplie Epist. 80 I being armed, gave language to mine adversarie, much misliked.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) ii. 149 Giuing order by a secret message.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxvi. xli. 616 He had given direction..that the legions..should there meete together.
a1626 F. Bacon Elements Common Lawes (1630) 37 If I give a man slanderous words, whereby I damnifie him in his name and credit [etc.].
1687 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 239 The base and scurrilous language given to Mr...Walker and..Massy.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 279 Give them good Words.
1725 London Gaz. No. 6390/1 A..Mob..gave them abusive Language.
1884 Brit. Q. Rev. Apr. 329 He gave the command ‘right face about’.
1890 Chambers's Jrnl. 10 May 300/1 Suddenly the word of command is given.
†b. Of a law: To prescribe that. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1305 Pilate 197 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 116 And lawe ȝifþ þat alle suche me scholde bringe of dawe.
c. To tell (a person); to offer for acceptance; esp. to tell or offer (a person) something incredible or unacceptable. Also absol. as imperative, speak! tell me! colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΚΠ
1883 J. Hay Bread-winners xviii. 275 ‘Why, what are you givin' me now?’ ‘I'm a-givin' you truth and friendship.’
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee 22 What are you giving me?.. Get along back to your circus, or I'll report you.
1956 E. Pound tr. Sophocles Women of Trachis 48 Thazza good tough start. Give.
1960 N. Hilliard Maori Girl 123 He drew down the corners of his mouth. ‘Don't give me that.’
1968 ‘P. Hobson’ Titty's Dead xvii. 165 ‘Come on. Give.’ ‘That ruddy policeman went digging things up and he found out I'd written my own testimonials.’
17. The elliptical use of the 3rd person subject in complimentary wishes, as in give you joy for God give you joy, seems to have been interpreted as an ellipsis of the pronoun of the first person, so that give has the sense of ‘to wish’. So in to give (a person) good morning, good day, good evening, a merry Christmas, etc. (now obsolete). to give the day (to): = to give (wish, etc.) the time of day (to) at time n., int., and conj. Phrases 1a(b)(i). [Compare French donner le bonjour.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)] > greet or salute
greetOE
i-gretec1000
hailc1175
anourec1300
saluec1300
hailse1377
salutec1380
salusc1440
halsec1480
begreet1513
enhalse1563
congratulate1589
halch?c1600
regreet1607
to give the day (to)1613
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 668 Gawan..gef hem alle goud day.
1613 W. Browne Britannia's Pastorals I. ii. 33 Sweetly shee came and with a modest blush, Gaue him the day, and then accosted thus.
1640 J. Shirley Constant Maid v. iii Is there any more Worke for the Priest? Then give you joy before hand, And let us celebrate the day together.
1642 J. Shirley Sisters (1652) v. ii. 57 Give you joy, Sir, my most illustrious Nephew.
a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) iv. ii. 195 Zabaim and the foure Princes thought they had time sufficient to give the Ladies the good night.
1669 S. Pepys Diary 28 Mar. (1976) IX. 500 Both of whom I did give joy.
1765 W. Hunter in J. Thomson Acct. Life W. Cullen (1832) I. 553 I thank the young advocate, and give him joy and all good wishes.
1822 W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel III. x. 278 Bravely done—nobly imparted. Give ye god-den.
1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol ii. 49 He heard them give each other Merry Christmas.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. ii. 15 The pokes in the waistcoat administered by the wags to Newcome, ‘Newcome, give you joy, my boy’; ‘Newcome, new partner in Hobson's’ [etc.].
18.
a. Of a judge, a tribunal: To deliver authoritatively (a decision, judgement, verdict, sentence, etc.); to award (costs, damages) to, against.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > judge or determine judicially [verb (transitive)] > give verdict or sentence
givea1300
findc1400
passa1616
to bring in1684
record1824
a1300 Cursor Mundi 29512 Quen man wit iuel mode..gis his sentence on ani man.
1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 24360 Whan Iuges, for offence Han yoved hir sentence.
?1429 in Wetheral Reg. (1897) 431 The Bishopp oppynly gaffe a decre and a sentence to all thame that [etc.].
c1465 Eng. Chron. (Camden) 60 The justice that yaf on him jugement livid not longe aftir.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxi. 242 It is not possyble to gyue ony trewe Iugemente.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 106 The Judge is wholly bent to give sentence with hym.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 59 The Archebishop..by vertue of his Apostolike aucthoritie gaue censure vpon these lawes..of the king.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. ii. 108 So you must be ye first that giues this sentence, And hee, that suffers. View more context for this quotation
1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 28 I heard..of Lord Shaftesberys having a 1000l. damages given against Lord Dighby for scandalum magnatum.
1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 719 This Arrest or Sentence of the Peers of France was given against King John.
1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 465 Judgment was given in the Courts of Exchequer..for the plaintiff Fox.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xvii. 39 Judgment had been given against him.
1888 Spectator 28 Apr. 561/1 A decision which must be given next week.
1890 C. Bowen in Law Times Rep. 63 690/1 It seems to me that the judge really intended to give the plaintiff the general costs of the action.
b. to give the case (idiomatically to give it): to decide for or against a litigant; †also absol. to give with or against; Cricket, of the umpire: to declare (a batsman) out, not out, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > judge or determine judicially [verb (transitive)] > decide for or against a litigant
find1426
to give it1573
to give the case1573
1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 2 Sir Lawhern pretendid that he would give with none unless al might go out, but indeed intendid to give against me.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World xxxiii The whole company..gave it unanimously against me.
1816 W. Lambert Instr. & Rules Cricket 23 Such Umpire, if he observes it, is authorized to give him out, for thus impeding the progress of the Ball towards the Wicket.
1890 Field 31 May 789/1 At 216 he was given out l b w.
1890 Murray's Mag. Dec. 828 He..has had the case given against him.
1891 W. G. Grace Cricket xi. 379 He had changed his mind and given me out.
1891 Longman's Mag. Oct. 661 The umpire gave it out.
1892 Standard 20 June 6/7 Smith was then given run out.
19. In imitation of Latin usage (see date n.2) the past participle is used in official documents for: Dated.
ΚΠ
1443 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) I. 386 Yoven the day and the yere abouesaid.
1485 Duke of Suffolk in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 446 Yoven at Long Stratton the xx day of Octobre.
1533 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 25 Yeven at our said Paloys the xxviiith day of Iune.
1602 in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. 150 Given under our Signet..in the fortie three yeere of Our Raigne.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. iii. 62 Given at our Palace at Belfaborac.
1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 27 Feb. 6/4 Given under my hand at the War Office, Pall-mall, this 18th day of February, 1885. Hartington.
20. To provide as a host (an entertainment, a ball, dinner, etc.). Often with added notion of sense 1a or 2a (const. to or dative), to do this in honour of, or for the gratification of, some person or persons. Also in indirect passive.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > hospitality > hospitable person > be host or hostess at [verb (transitive)]
give1523
matronize1877
host1958
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccciii. 283 b He gaue dyuers suppers and banketes to ladyes and damosels.
1562 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 299 A breckfast geven to Mr. Norres.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) iii. 20 In various Talk th' instructive hours they past, Who gave a Ball, or paid the Visit last.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. viii. 79 Intended that night giving the young ladies a ball.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud xix. ii, in Maud & Other Poems 63 Our ponderous squire will give A grand political dinner To half the squirelings near.
a1873 E. O. M. Deutsch Literary Remains (1874) 260 Frederick of Austria gave a tournament.
1885 Truth 2 July 2/1 Their Royal Highnesses also intend to give a dance as a wind-up to the season.
1892 Cornhill Mag. July 2 The school children were being given a treat.
VI. To present, expose, offer.
21. To present or expose to the action of a person or thing; to hold out (one's hand) to be taken. to give a back: see back n.1 24e.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > offer no resistance [verb (intransitive)] > submit to action
givec950
sufferc1315
submita1525
acquiesce1660
to take one's medicine1858
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)] > offer by holding out > one's hand to be taken
givec950
c950 [see α. forms].
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. l. 6 My bodi I ȝaf to the smyteres, and my chekes to the pulleris.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 2 Kings x. 15 He seith, ȝeue me thin honde. The whiche ȝaue to hym his hond; and he rerede hym to hym in to the chaar.
1589 [see γ. forms].
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 649 The mothers use to beare their children at their backs..they give them the brest over their shoulders.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 88 Because I had a white horse, I gave the Rebels a faire marke.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 416 All..Give to the wanton Winds their flowing Hair.
1711 Fingall MSS in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 133 The army was..to marche..by the river, giving their right flanck to the front of the enemy.
c1820 S. Rogers Brides of Venice in Italy 70 Their sails out-spread and given to the wind.
1837 N. Hawthorne Twice-told Tales (1851) I. ix. 160 He holds out his hand; she gives her own.
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxxii. 287 Give me a back, Mr. Rugg—a little higher, sir—that'll do!
†22.
a. Of (one's) ‘heart’, mind, conscience, etc.: To suggest (to one) that; in unfavourable sense, to misgive. Also, to prompt (one) to do something. Also, quasi-impersonal, it gives me = I have a foreboding. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > influence by suggestion > suggest > of the mind, conscience, or feelings
give1297
suggest1583
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 9762 He bihuld & nuste þulke foure þere Is herte him ȝef anon wuderward hii wende.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1450 Myn herte me ȝifþ þat ȝif he..takeþ þat iornee, þat þou ne seest hym no more.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 107 My hert forsuth may nocht gif me Till duell.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 97 Myne hert giffis me no mor to be With ȝow duelland in this Cuntre.
1488 Will of Sir Edmond Shaa (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/8) f. 99 My conscience geueth me to make restitucion.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccclvii. 577 My hert gyueth me that ye mater wyll nat reste longe in the case that it is nowe in.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 200 Full well did it geue this prudent & wise prince in his mynde tofore, that [etc.].
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Hviiiv To speke truelye as my mynde geueth me.
1599 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. King Edward IV sig. N3v Somewhat it giues me you wil bring from thence Worthy the noting.
1650 T. Bayly Worcesters Apophthegmes 91 The Marquess had a Daughter whose mind gave her to be a Nun.
1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 206 It gave me in my mind I should lose my labour in going.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa II. xiv. 85 My heart strongly gives me, that once I am compelled to leave this house, I never shall see it more.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe II. xiv. 257 Therefore, do as thy mind giveth thee.
b. In Malory the locutions my heart giveth (me) that sometimes have a further sense of inclining towards a person, expressed by a construction with unto. In some instances the object clause is dropped, so that the verb assumes the intransitive sense ‘to incline, be kindly disposed’.Perhaps quot. c1330 may be an older example of this sense; on the other hand, it is possible that Edward, not heart, is the subject.
ΚΠ
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 253 Sir Edward..His herte gaf tille dame Blanche, if her wille wer þerto.]
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vii. ii My herte geueth me to the gretely that thou arte come of men of worshyp.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xvii. xiii Moche my hert gyueth vnto yow.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. IV 93 My heart giveth to thee.
23.
a. To expose or offer to view or observation; to ‘set’ (an example); to show (a sign, token); to present or set forth (a statement, fact, proposal, reason, etc.) for acceptance or consideration; to mention, include in a list or enumeration. †to give show: to intimate.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)]
i-taechec888
to lay … beforec1000
showlOE
givec1175
to lay outc1440
produce1459
propose1548
cite1549
product1563
broach1573
offer1583
to hold up1604
to bring in1608
project1611
to bring ona1715
to trot out1838
to bring up1868
muster1904
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1239 Forr þe to ȝifenn bisne. Þatt [etc.].
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 56 Þet oðer [ancheisun] is for to ȝeue þe oðere for bisne.
13.. Northern Passion 130/1255 Ageyn oure law he haþ ȝoue red.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12620 He gaf þaim rede all resun.
c1449 [see β. forms].
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ii. i Gyuyng example to alle the Barons.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV 235 b A white Dove..came thether as a token, geven by God.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 93 I..will shew you how to find the height of the Pole euery day, for whiche thinge I will geue you two sondrye wais.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. Epitome sig. Aj Giue mee the sundrie kindes of Epistles.
1579 [see γ. forms].
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 58 As there is no firme reason to be rendred..So can I giue no reason. View more context for this quotation
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 20 Some giving one etymologie and derivation of the word, and some another.
1693 J. Dryden Disc. conc. Satire in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires p. xlv Thus have I given the History of Satire, and deriv'd it from Ennius, to your Lordship.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 59. ¶4 Among innumerable Instances that may be given of this Nature.
1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough III. 376 The Queen gave some Signs of Life.
1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. II. 382 As if the example was given by him, very few of his successors escaped a violent death.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) III. 51 The account of it is given in the Mercury of France.
1820 J. Keats Isabella in Lamia & Other Poems 50 He knew whose gentle hand was at the latch, Before the door had given her to his eyes.
1889 ‘M. Gray’ Reproach of Annesley I. i. i. 6 The far-off farms..gave no sign of life.
1892 R. C. Lehmann Billsbury Elect. 196 A daily newspaper gave a head-lined account of the speech.
1899 N.E.D. at Give Mod. Such words ought not to be given in a dictionary.
b. To indicate as existing; to state (at a certain quantity). Of a measuring instrument: To show, indicate (a certain quantity).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > measure by or as an instrument [verb (transitive)] > register or indicate a certain measurement
mark1820
read1862
give1890
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 15 Albeit Ptol. after him gives no further extendure of land south, than 12 deg.
1856 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 17 ii. 445 He gives the average monthly amount..at 0·81 lbs.
1890 Harper's Mag. Nov. 815/1 The hydrometer [sic] gives a humidity as high as seventy-four.
1891 Longman's Mag. Oct. 600 The sounding-line..gave at last but six fathoms.
†24. To display as an armorial bearing; to bear (such or such a cognizance, etc.). Obsolete. Cf. to give arms at arms n. Phrases 1c.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > exhibit armorial bearings [verb (transitive)]
bearc1400
wear1463
give1548
coat1664
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII 59 The Emperour Maximilian..at that tyme gave an Egle in his armes.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. 388 (margin) He bare the name and gave the badge or cognisaunce of the same.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. i. 14 All his Ancestors (that come after him)..may giue the dozen white Luces in their Coate. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. vii. 29 Teare the Lyons out of Englands Coat;..giue Sheepe in Lyons stead. View more context for this quotation
a1627 T. Middleton More Dissemblers besides Women i. iii, in 2 New Playes (1657) 15 I give the flaming heart, It is my crest.
1652 J. Shirley Doubtful Heir i. 7 Her sweet Heart, that gives Cupid in his crest.
25. To represent, describe, portray, report. Now rare. †Also reflexive with complement: To appear, present itself as. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > narration > description or act of describing > describe [verb (transitive)]
sayOE
devisec1300
readc1300
to make (a) showing ofc1330
counterfeitc1369
expressc1386
scrievec1390
descrya1400
scrya1400
drawa1413
representc1425
describec1450
report1460
qualify?1465
exhibit1534
perscribe1538
to set out1545
deline1566
delineate1566
decipher1567
denotate1599
lineate16..
denote1612
givea1616
inform?1615
to shape out1633
speaka1637
display1726
to hit off1737
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. x. 54 Too modest are you: More cruell to your good report, then gratefull To vs, that giue you truly. View more context for this quotation
1631 J. Shirley Traytor (1635) iii. iii. F 3 Your brother gave you more Desirous of the sport.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 12 The Land at twenty leagues distance gaue it selfe very high.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 230 Many other things give themselves note-worthy.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lxxiii. 102 What practice howsoe'er expert..Hath power to give thee as thou wert? View more context for this quotation
26. To read, recite, sing, act (anything) in the presence of auditors or spectators; to perform, produce (a play, etc.); to deliver (a lecture, etc.). Cf. French donner.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > performer > perform [verb (transitive)]
show?a1475
givea1500
spiel1904
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > deliver (a speech, etc.)
yielda1350
say1463
give1834
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 134 I wold, or we yode, Oone gaf vs a song.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lix. 207 Take thy vyall, and geue vs a songe.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales I. 198 He promised to give us another chapter out of his book, on another occasion.
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xiii. 134 Who will give us a song?
1879 A. Trollope Thackeray i. 46 The piece was all given by memory.
1887 Times (Weekly ed.) 24 June 14/4 The Russian Imperial hymn, given on the organ.
1889 Cornhill Mag. Dec. 625 Havard's play of ‘Charles I’ was being given at York.
1890 Illustr. London News 26 Apr. 536/1 The opera was given again in 1864.
27. To offer, propose as a sentiment or toast.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > pledge or toast > propose toast
present1632
propose1705
to begin a toasta1715
give1728
propine1734
1728 A. Ramsay On seeing Archers divert Themselves 96 Neist, sir, you name; I give you Basil's handsome dame.
1793 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 681 Instead of a song, boys, I'll give you a toast.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. iv I rise to give, most noble President, The memory of a man well known to all.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxvi. 398 ‘Gentlemen,’ said the man in blue..‘I'll give you the ladies; come.’
1891 Standard 10 Nov. 3/3 The Lord Mayor next gave ‘The Health of the Lord High Chancellor’.
VII. To make partaker of.
28.
a. To communicate, impart to a person or thing (some quality, state, etc. belonging to the subject).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > impart
lendOE
common1340
parta1382
conveyc1386
impart1477
give1481
imprint1526
communicate1534
partake1561
impute1594
participate1598
communea1616
stamp1641
shove?a1650
conne1674
1481 (a1470) J. Tiptoft tr. Cicero De Amicicia (Caxton) sig. c4 The grettest fruyte of naturel vertue..is thenne taken, whan it is youen and departed to theym that be next in frendship & good wille.
?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau Theatrum Mundi sig. F iij For the father can give to the child but fraile and mortall fleshe.
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 18 The match also if it bee not..kept verie drie..it giveth no fire to the touchpowder.
1899 N.E.D. at Give Mod. I hope I have not given you my sore throat.
b. Of a place, a thing: To supply, be the source or origin of (a name, title).
ΚΠ
1639 T. B. tr. J.-P. Camus Certain Moral Relations in S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 144 This Castle giveth name unto a Family sufficiently knowne.
a1671 T. Fairfax Short Mem. (1699) 84 The place was Marston fields, which afterwards gave the name to this battel.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 73 The Loire, its banks still clad with the broom which gives their title to the Plantagenets.
29.
a. To impart (knowledge, information); to impart the knowledge of (a fact, a name, one's opinion or intention). †to give part [= Spanish dar parte, French faire part] : to apprise a person of. to give (a person) a piece of one's mind: (colloquial) usually, to give emphatic expression to one's disapprobation.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)]
learna1382
tella1382
givec1449
imparta1547
impute1594
reinform1605
reimpart1645
leave1677
volunteer1805
brief1866
to come across with1895
voice1951
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)
to teach a person a thingc888
meanOE
wiseOE
sayOE
wittera1225
tellc1225
do to witc1275
let witc1275
let seec1330
inform1384
form1399
lerea1400
to wit (a person) to saya1400
learn1425
advertise1431
givec1449
insense?c1450
instruct1489
ascertain1490
let1490
alighta1500
advert1511
signify1523
reform1535
advise1562
partake1565
resolve1568
to do to ware1594
to let into one's knowledge1596
intellect1599
possess1600
acquainta1616
alighten1615
recommenda1616
intelligence1637
apprise1694
appraise1706
introduce1741
avail1785
prime1791
document1807
to put up1811
to put a person au fait of1828
post1847
to keep (someone) straight1862
monish1866
to put next to1896
to put (one) wise (to)1896
voice1898
in the picture1900
to give (someone) a line on1903
to wise up1905
drum1908
hip1932
to fill (someone) in on1945
clue1948
background1961
to mark a person's card1961
to loop in1994
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 68 Bi teching and informacioun of sum sad clerk ȝouun to thee.
1558 Queen Elizabeth I in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1709) I. App. i. 2 We do publish and give knowledge by this our proclamation to all maner peple.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 41 In giving my name, I wrote my selfe an Englishman.
1643 Order of Parl. Regulating Printing 4 By way of revenge for giveing information against them.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 481 This is the real and Roial design of this Fleet, whereof you may give part..to our good neighbors.
1661 R. Boyle Some Consider. Style of Script. (1675) 36 Our great Antiquary..both in familiar discourse, and in his excellent tract on the Syrian Deities gave me first a hint.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 59 Tales..which I shall give as cheap as I had them.
1787 [see γ. forms].
1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations I. v. 63 Would you give me the Time?
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xiii. 267 The room in which she had given him that piece of her mind at parting.
1885 Cent. Mag. 30 79 1 In a few words Captain Schley gave me an inkling of his plans.
1886 Manch. Examiner 23 Jan. 5/3 The policy given in outline in the Queen's Speech ensures the opposition of the Parnellites.
1887 H. Caine Deemster III. xxxiii. 47 The men gathered close about Teare, and [he] gave his plan.
1889 F. Barrett Under Strange Mask II. xvi. 109 I gave him my name.
b. to give to the world, to give to the public: to publish (a literary work, a discovery, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > publishing > publish [verb (transitive)]
to put forth1482
to put out1529
to set forth1535
promulge1539
to set abroada1555
present1559
to set out1559
utter1561
divulge1566
publish1573
print?1594
emit1650
edition1715
edit1727
to give to the world1757
to get out1786
to send forth1849
to bring out1878
run1879
release1896
pub1932
1757 W. Cullen in J. Thomson Acct. Life W. Cullen (1832) I. 531 When those parts that are finished shall be given to the public.
1825 New Monthly Mag. 15 461 The results of these enquiries have been given to the world.
1892 Temple Bar Dec. 481 ‘Marmion’ was given to the world in 1808.
c. to give (a person) to believe, know, note, understand, etc.: to impart to him information that will lead him to believe (etc.). Also in indirect passive.
ΚΠ
?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau Theatrum Mundi sig. R b The whiche giveth us to understande that man is the verie chiefe worke of God.
1586 Queen Elizabeth I in Corresp. Earl Leicester (Camden Soc. 1844) 210 So we think mete the counsel of state be geven to understand.
1586 Earl of Leicester in Corresp. Earl Leicester (Camden Soc. 1844) 246 It is secretly and assuredly giuen me to vnderstand [etc.].
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. sig. E4v I..Shal giue the world to note..That Vertue solely is the sum of glorie.
1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. M iij a He doth moreouer giue vs to vnderstand the number of the Sermons that he translated.
1661 R. L'Estrange State-divinity 44 I am given to understand that [etc.].
1778 J. Laurens in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) II. 170 We have given them to understand that the frigate..is to push out of the Sound.
1786 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) I. 539 Our report..they may be given to know, cannot be formed without decisive information.
1811 Countess Berkeley Addr. to Peers 19 I met him when he gave me to believe that his intentions were honourable.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 82 Four of the Judges gave him to understand that they could not, on this occasion, serve his purpose.
1875 H. Kingsley No. Seventeen xxii. 167 ‘How did you lie?’ ‘Not at all in words, but I gave him to think that’ [etc.].
1889 M. Caird Wing of Azrael III. xxxvi. 129 Adrienne was given to understand that this..was entirely her doing.
VIII. To allot, apportion, assign.
30.
a. To allot, apportion; to cause to have as one's share. †to give to lot (see lot n.). Also in indirect passive. †In past participle with adv. = Dowered.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)] > assign or allot
givec1050
bequeatha1325
ordaina1325
assign1340
sortc1374
sign1389
betakea1400
beteacha1400
remiss1525
allot1534
carve1578
divide1600
to set off1687
c1050 [see β. forms].
c1230 Hali Meid. 9 Hwen þus is of þe riche hwat wenes tu of the poure þat beoð wacliche iȝeouen.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28724 O crist..We find he gaf na penance mare.
13821 [see β. forms].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16762 + 118 Him was not geue so mikel plas, War-on he miȝt dee fayre.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 7082 Þe bischop penance þan him gaue.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Apr. 114 Let that rowme to my Lady be yeuen.
c1598 King James VI & I Basilicon Doron (1944) I. ii. 148 Equitie in things abitrall giuis euerie ane that quhilke is meittest for him.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 339 Not onely these fair bounds, but all the Earth To thee and to thy Race I give . View more context for this quotation
1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. II. 15 It was soon after united to the kingdom of England, made a principality, and given to the eldest son of the crown.
1885 J. Martineau Types Ethical Theory II. i. i. §2. 156 The states in question being given to the respective subjects.
1890 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Feb. 217 I was given a hut in Hope Town.
1891 Murray's Mag. Apr. 524 He was given the contract.
b. To assign or impose (a name); †to appoint, fix (a day, time).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [verb (transitive)] > time, appoint, or set a time for
seta1056
givec1320
timea1393
attermine1413
day1594
settle1596
to set down1597
momenta1661
order1669
c1320 Cast. Love 615 Þeos beþ þe nomen..Þat þe prophetes him ȝeeuen.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 232 Adam abraid, and sag ðat wif; Name he gaf hire dat is ful rif.
c1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 138 Then may the fader wyþoute blame Crysten the chylde and ȝeue hyt name.
1461 J. Gresham in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 239 To gyve them þat ar chosyn knyghtes of þe shire day after Michelmesse.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xlix. 165 He..gaue them day to be with him within .xv. dayes.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 3 For rewarde wherof vertu also gave you that name.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 229 A thing worthy..of reformation, when God shall giue time.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 622 The women wash the childe all over with water, and give the name.
1630 in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll. (1659) 45 The Court..gave day to joyn in Demurrer this Tearm.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 441 They were bound..to proceed according to the rules of Parliament, which was to commit the person so impeached, and then give a short day for his trial.
†c. To appoint to an office or function. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > appoint to an office or position
setc1000
to make placea1387
give1535
placea1568
locate1602
shop1808
berth1865
line1886
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. vii. C As for their brethren the Leuites, they were geuen to all the offices in the habitacion of the house of the Lorde [brethrē in text].
1611 Bible (King James) Eph. iv. 11 He gaue some, Apostles; and some, Prophets. View more context for this quotation
d. To allow (a person) a specified period of time in which to do something; to predict a certain period remaining for (a person's life, a marriage, etc.). colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > predict, foretell [verb (transitive)] > predict a certain period for
give1881
1835 C. Dickens Let. 30 Dec. (1965) I. 114 I give Cruickshank 'till Saturday:—I hope we shall have something to look at by that time.
1881 R. L. Stevenson Virginibus Puerisque 181 By all means begin your folio; even if the doctor does not give you a year.., make one brave push and see what can be accomplished in a week.
1913 F. L. Barclay Broken Halo xviii. 217 ‘How long do you give me, Sir James?’ she asked, in a very quiet voice.
1961 P. G. Wodehouse Service with Smile vii. 121 ‘Well, all right,’ said Lord Ickenham, rising. ‘I can give her five minutes.’
1972 Observer 20 Feb. 8/5 The wiseacres..gave Charles Chaplin and Oona O'Neill's marriage six months. It's lasted decades.
31.
a. To attribute in thought or speech; to ascribe, assign. †Formerly often, to ascribe (a literary work) to a person as author. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > inhere in or be an attribute of [verb (transitive)] > attribute to as belonging or appropriate
appropre1340
propera1398
appropriate1533
attributea1538
give1559
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 12 The Ægiptians..gave to the seven Planetes .vij. heavens.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. iv. 210 I doe..give pricke and praise [Fr. je donne la palme] vnto Iaques Amiot.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. iii. 117 Those that gaue the Thane of Cawdor to me, Promis'd no lesse to them. View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iii. ii. 263 From all That might haue mercie on the fault, thou gau'st him. View more context for this quotation
1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? iii. 42 He gaue too much vnto Traditions.
1770 E. Burke Corr. (1844) I. 243 I have lately read a good part..of a pamphlet on the late verdicts... They give it to Lord Camden.
1780 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal i. i. 4 I don't wonder at people's giving him to me for a lover.
1782 J. Warton Ess. on Pope (new ed.) II. ix. 121 On its first publication, Pope did not own it, and it was given by the public to Lord Paget, Dr. Young, Dr. Desaguliers, and others.
1797 Morning Chron. 13 Nov. The translation of the Diatribe against England, which has been given to the pen of M. de Tallyrand.
1812 Brit. Bibliographer II. 392 George Pettie. [note] Warton calls him William, but I have A. Wood's authority for giving him the name of George.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. xxxiv. 342 Henry..gave all the glory to God.
1885 Manch. Examiner 10 July 5/1 It is proper to give full weight to the exculpatory evidence adduced.
†b. to give for, also simply to give (chiefly with adjectives or participles of condition): To account, consider, set down as. Cf. to give over at Phrasal verbs 1, give up for. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1613 Voy. Guiana in Harl. Misc. (1809) III. 177 We descried her to leeward of us, contrary to our expectation, having given her for lost.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. iv. 40 Mens reports Giue him [sc. Pompey] much wrong'd. View more context for this quotation
a1625 J. Fletcher Humorous Lieut. ii. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Qqq3/2 Nay give 'em lost, I saw 'em off their horses.
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Spanish Curat iv. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. G/2 If e're the Sun be set, I see you not, give me dead.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ v. xxx. 34 Greek I perceavd it was not, nor Latin or English; So I gave it for meer gibbrish.
1647 T. Fuller Cause Wounded Conscience xviii. 133 Pensive parents solicitous for the soules of their children, have even given them for gone.
1671 A. Marvell Let. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 323 The Dutchess of York is dead. All gave her for a Papist.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 130. ¶4 The Parents, after a long search for him, gave him for drowned in one of the Canals.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 424 The party against the Court gave all for lost.
1740 tr. C. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid (1741) I. 191 I gave myself for lost.
†c. to give for granted: to take for granted, consent to assume. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > supposition, surmise > taking for granted, presumption > assume, presuppose [verb (transitive)]
supposec1350
presumec1390
take1429
presupposec1443
takec1449
presupponec1475
supponea1513
subsume1562
foreprise1577
to take for granted1615
to give for granted1637
assume1660
foretake1674
premisea1706
predicate1718
dare say1749
pre-assume1789
1637 P. Heylyn Antidotum Lincolniense ii. vii. 81 Which given for granted we proceed, and will shew some reasons [etc.].
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 25 I shall easily be led..to give for granted, that Carlile Bay [etc.].
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. iii. v, in Wks. 61 The Hebrews..fell into a Consternation, giving it for granted, that God in his Wrath had taken away Moses.
32. The past participle is used, esp. in an absolute clause, with the sense: Assigned or posited as a basis of calculation or reasoning. Cf. given adj.
ΚΠ
?1677 S. Primatt City & Covntry Purchaser & Builder 159 How to draw a Perpendicular Line from any Point, to any Line given.
1828 Moore's Pract. Navigator (ed. 20) 109 The Difference of Latitude and Departure given, to find the Course, Distance, and Difference of Longitude.
1885 Manch. Examiner 5 May 5/1 Given a reasonable amount of variety and quality in the exhibits, an exhibition..is sure to attract large numbers.
IX. To yield as a product or result.
33. To yield, supply, furnish, as a product.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide, afford, or yield
givec1200
providec1425
supporta1449
utter1547
yield1548
offer1550
afforda1568
servea1577
award1582
presenta1586
produce1585
deliver1605
officiate1667
furnish1754
to throw up1768
scale1853
c1200 [see ]. ?c1225 [see β. forms]. 1382 [see β. forms].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22326 Þe erth sal giue o frut plente.
c1420 [see α. forms].
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV 200 b All the whole Province of Yorke, gave yerely to this Hospitall certain measures of corne.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 150 She requireth greater quantitie of meate, whereby she may geue the more milke.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 91 The same family hath given three Dukes..and three Patriarkes, and twelve Procurators of Saint Marke.
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 121 The Cow..which was so fruitfull at the Paile, that for the abundance of milk she did give, the owner might eate butter.
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 41 Trees that giue aromatike gummes.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. 146 The washings..bubbled, subsided, and gave lime, like the rest.
1792 Descr. Kentucky 39 This establishment gives already 2,000 yards of sail-cloth a week.
1841 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2 i. 121 The 241 lbs. of wheat should have given 189 lbs. of flour.
1852 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 13 i. 26 The cow..gave in the evening 5 quarts of milk.
1852 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 13 i. 38 Cream on milk, a little acescent, will ‘give’ the butter with less labour in churning than when the milk or cream is void of acidity.
1890 Harper's Mag. Oct. 770/1 This second brewing will give a darker liquid.
1891 Strand Mag. Jan. 96/1 The lamps gave an uncertain light.
†34. To fetch, be worth (a price). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (transitive)] > be sold for a certain price
givec1600
fetch1605
make1868
c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 306 The Meill gaif xij shillings the peck.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 41 A Spanish shilling..giues twenty fiue Pice, a Riall of eight giues fiue Mammoodees.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 663 Let him sell oyl, if it give anything.
a1735 Earl of Haddington Short Treat. Forest-trees 8 in J. G. Reid Scots Gardiner (1756) In other countries it gives a great price.
1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 258 The country would be so much overstocked with timber, that it would give no price.
35. To yield as the result of calculation or measurement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > enumeration, reckoning, or calculation > number, calculate, or reckon [verb (transitive)] > amount to or total
makeOE
amountc1350
be?c1425
draw1425
numbera1450
numbera1586
to sum up1597
give1634
mount1639
tantamount1659
compute1667
muster1810
total1859
subtotal1906
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 91 The Garden..has six seuerall discents, each part giuing eightie paces, & seuentie broad.
1727 J. Arbuthnot Tables Anc. Coins 240 The number of Men being divided by the number of Ships, gives four hundred and twenty-four Men a-piece.
1739 E. Carter tr. F. Algarotti Sir I. Newton's Philos. Explain'd II. 164 Two multiplied by itself gives Four.
1858 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 19 i. 172 An analysis of the guano..gave the following results.
1890 Longman's Mag. July 282 [His] name in Hebrew characters gives us 666—the mystic number of the Antichrist.
†36. Of experience, reasoning, etc.: To yield the conclusion that. Also of a name: To import, signify. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)] > be proof of
provea1200
showa1325
declarec1400
verifyc1430
givec1449
persuadea1525
arguea1538
demonstrate1572
argue1585
put1596
evidence1611
evident1643
to make out1795
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 306 Experience hath ȝouun bifore these daies that grete lordis..couthen not rekene a summe into a hundrid schillingis.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde ii. i. 64 Raison and nature gyue that alle the worlde be rounde.
1562 Certayn Serm. preached in Lincs. in H. Latimer 27 Serm. ii. f. 144v The time giueth it that Christ shoulde come.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 22v Taraxippus the stone, as the name giueth, doth signifie the Horse his trouble and disquietnesse.
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxx. sig. N8v The same reason giues it: for, Optima corrupta pessima.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. iii. 88 This Instance gives the impossibility of an eternal Existence in any thing essentially alterable or corruptible.
X. To cause to have.
37.
a. With direct and indirect object: To cause to have (a possession); to cause to receive (anything material or immaterial, a benefit or injury); to produce in a person or thing (a state, condition, feeling); to invest or endow with (a quality, a right, a power); to restore (one's health, sight, etc.). Said both of persons and things. †to give one the worse: to worst, defeat.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > cause to be possessed
to set in handc1275
givea1300
fasten1527
lodge1670
a1300 Cursor Mundi 539 Þe ouer fir gis man his sight.
c1340 [see γ. forms].
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 333 To sich folk wolde Crist ȝeue blisse.
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 710 Þt suche a meracule for hurre hadde wrouȝt, And ȝeve, for hurre love, þt bysone mon his syȝt.
1532 [see α. forms].
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 55/2 That iubardy so wel passed: it gaue him great pleasure to talke wt him therof.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10404 He greuit þe greke, and geue hym þe worse.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V 55 b To geve men a courage for to go furth, money was fyrst gathered.
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 18 b Whereby [a wad] the whole charge of powder being restrained may..give the more force to the bullets.
1610 G. Carleton Iurisdict. 163 When the pope was able to meet the Emperour in battell and give him the worse.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 75 Finding the Army a meere Chaos, he had given it forme.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures lxxix. 319 On the death which I hope to give to this Fish, my perfect content depends.
1674 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. Northern Countries 32 Which they distil..putting in a certain grain which gives it the same strength and intoxication as ours.
1726 Four Years Voy. Capt. G. Roberts Ded. sig. Aiijv A Person whose Profession and Opportunities have not given him those Advantages which others may boast.
1728 J. Morgan Compl. Hist. Algiers I. iii. 247 It gives me the Vapours to find People miscalled.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. xxiii. 168 I give you emotion, madam. Forgive me. I have performed my promise.
1773 A. Grant Let. 24 May in Lett. from Mountains (1806) I. 116 Another far-seen object gives sad variety to the prospect.
1803 Pic Nic No. 4. 1 Her restless ambition continues to give alarm in every quarter.
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 1183 This, in Lord Kenyon's opinion, gave the plaintiff a title to the whole.
1862 J. Tyndall Mountaineering in 1861 iv. 32 Its deep seclusion gives it a peculiar charm.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §3. 176 The King..wept bitterly at the news of his father's death, though it gave him a crown.
1883 Manch. Examiner 22 Nov. 5/4 Currency is given..to a rumour that the Parcel Post is being conducted at a loss of something like £10,000 a week.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 88 Clumsy oars—faugh! they give blisters first And then a horny hand.
1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 115 Burke gave the tone to the mass of English opinion.
b. with dative of person and infinitive.
ΚΠ
1768 Woman of Honor II. 187 Your knowing one gives you to know the whole mutton-headed species.
1803 M. Charlton Wife & Mistress (ed. 2) I. 52 Each despairing struggle only gave her to experience the full force of her bonds.
1841 J. H. Newman in Apologia (1864) 273 The last miserable century..has given us to start from a much lower level.
c. With dative of reflexive pronoun in various uses: To impose on oneself (trouble); to cause oneself to have (a possession, privilege, etc.); to assume, pretend to. †to give oneself wonder: to be astonished. to give oneself airs: to assume a bearing offensively or ludicrously indicative of belief in one's own superiority.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > wonder, be astonished [phrase]
to think wonder971
I have selcoutha1250
marvela1393
to have wondera1400
to have marvela1500
to give oneself wonderc1500
bewondereda1586
to think it wondera1586
estrange1658
to think (it) much1669
flabberdegasky1822
the mind boggles1899
c1500 Melusine (1895) xxx. 223 I gyue me grete wonder what folke they may be.
1676 tr. G. Guillet de Saint-Georges Acct. Voy. Athens 5 Looking gravely, to give myself Authority [etc.].
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 44 That easily discovers the Airs they give themselves.
1726 Four Years Voy. Capt. G. Roberts 22 Without giving myself any further Trouble.
1735 H. Fielding Old Man taught Wisdom 17 I must always give myself Airs to a Man I like.
1836 E. W. Lane Acct. Manners & Customs Mod. Egyptians I. iv. 146 She went to his shop, riding on an ass, to give herself consequence, and said [etc.].
1843 A. Bethune Sc. Peasant's Fire-side 13 She gave herself no airs to procure it.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues III. 126 We ought not to give ourselves airs.
1886 Law Times 82 77/2 A tribunal cannot give itself jurisdiction by erroneous findings of fact.
d. to give of oneself: to devote oneself unselfishly; to give one's time and energy to some specified thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > be occupied or busy (in or at something) [verb (intransitive)] > devote or apply oneself to something
study1340
yield?a1366
voida1382
vacatea1706
to give of oneself1926
1926 G. Hunting Vicarion xiii. 222 She had come here to him that she might find a way to give of herself, her love, her loyalty, in the time of his need.
1961 R. Winston & C. Winston tr. T. Mann Genesis of Novel xi. 118 I gave too much of myself.
1964 Bull. Amer. Library Assoc. Jan. 49/2 I'm not sure I want to give of myself that way.
1964 Bull. Amer. Library Assoc. Jan. 52/2 People will still rise out of their fast-paced lives and give unstintingly of themselves when they are shown a worthy project.
38. to give to reflect, to give to think: to furnish material for reflexion or thought. (A Gallicism.) Esp. in to give (one) furiously to think [translating French donner furieusement à penser] , to set (a person) thinking very hard or seriously; to give (one) much food for thought; to puzzle.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > think or have in mind [verb (transitive)] > cause to think
to give (one) furiously to think1910
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > act of perplexing > perplex, nonplus [phrase]
to bring (drive, or put) to one's wit's end1377
to cast (also throw) a mist before a person's eyes?a1475
to set (also run) on ground1600
to make butter and cheese of1642
to put to the gaze1646
philogrobolized in one's brains1653
to strike all of (on) a heap1711
to blow, cast, throw stour in one's eyes1823
knot1860
to give (one) furiously to think1910
1890 Globe 7 Aug. 1/4 That pronouncement ‘gives to reflect’, as the French say.
1891 Sat. Rev. 24 Oct. 477/2 It is..likely to achieve a lasting popularity.. and to ‘give to think’..to certain members of the House of Commons.
1910 W. J. Locke Simon the Jester i. 8 This gives one furiously to think.
1920 A. Christie Mysterious Affair at Styles xiii. 280 This attitude of his gave me furiously to think, and I was slowly forced to the conclusion that Alfred Inglethorp wanted to be arrested.
1926 H. W. Fowler Dict. Mod. Eng. Usage 210/1 If writers knew..how furious is the thinking that ‘give furiously to think’ stirs in the average Englishman, they would leave such paltry borrowings alone for ever.
1936 ‘J. Tey’ Shilling for Candles iv. 32 That Jammy Hopkins should stay without moving for more than three consecutive minutes argued that he was being given furiously to think.
XI. To allow or yield.
39.
a. To allow a person or thing to have or take; not to withhold or withdraw; to concede, yield. See also to give (a person or thing) best at best adj., n.1, and adv. Phrases 1e(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > permit [verb (transitive)] > permit to have
sufferc1290
give1548
allow1581
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V 75 The kyng of Englande gevyng the upper hande to his father inlawe through the greate citee of Paris.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII 23 b They never gave their enemies one daye to repose.
1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 377 I yealde unto thee..Without any more a doe, I give thee the victorie at this passe-time.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads i. 272 Atrides, give not stream to all thy power.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant iii. 97 The common People give their Wives great Liberty.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 130 They give thir Bodies due repose at Night. View more context for this quotation
1711 W. King tr. G. Naudé Polit. Considerations Refin'd Politicks iii. 121 To give a freer range to his passions.
1803 Pic Nic No. 3. 6 Give but time to this experiment, and it will work its end.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. v. 80 The gigantic warder..resigned his keys, and gave open way to the Goddess.
1836 E. Howard Rattlin xxvi If you'll give me five-and-twenty yards, I'll run you three hops and a step a hundred yards for another crown.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) ix. 73 She said she would never give the pas to a tradesman's daughter.
1883 R. Buchanan Love me for Ever ii. iii. 87 Give me a little time.
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms I. vii. 94 I could hardly stand for laughing, till the calf gave him best and walked.
a1889 W. Collins Blind Love (1890) III. xlix. 82 Give yourself an hour to get from station to station.
1894 S. Baring-Gould Deserts S. France I. 131 She is..given a long rest in the middle of the day.
†b. absol. imperative. give ye = allow the remark, with your permission. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1662 J. Chandler tr. F. M. van Helmont in tr. J. B. van Helmont Oriatrike To Rdr. Ye seek not the Poor, but [Give Ye] ye resemble Beggars.
†c. give me myself: let me go, leave me at liberty. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1625 J. Fletcher Valentinian ii. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Aaaaaaa4/1 Give me my selfe, or by the Gods my friend You'l make me dangerous.
d. to give and take, (a) to exchange repartee, blows, etc.; (b) to make mutual allowances, concessions, or compromises. Cf. give and take n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [verb (intransitive)]
to give and take1519
compoundc1547
to meet halfway1638
compromise1656
palliate1672
moderate1713
to split the difference1713
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > argue, dispute, discuss [verb (intransitive)] > from mouth to mouth
chop1581
bandy1603
to give and takea1661
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria vi. f. 63v A man muste somtyme gyue and somtyme take.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. iii. 6 We must both giue, and take, my gracious Lord. View more context for this quotation
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Sussex 96 The King, who in this kind would give and not take, being no Good Fellow in tart Repartees, was..highly offended.
1853 T. C. Haliburton Sam Slick's Wise Saws II. xii. 300 Give and take, live and let live, that's the word. You can't do without me, for you hante got no pilot, and I can't do without you, for I want your cash.
1963 Higher Educ.: Rep. Comm. under Ld. Robbins xv. 225 in Parl. Papers 1962–3 (Cmnd. 2154) XI. 639 The habit of informal conference and a disposition to give-and-take.
e. give or take: to subtract or add (a period of time, a quantity, a sum of money, etc.): an indication that the estimate is to be considered as approximate. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > approximate quantity or amount > approximately (an amount) [phrase]
plus minus1611
or soa1616
a matter of1645
there or (and) thereaboutsa1696
the matter of1829
somewhere about1846
in the neighbourhood of1847
in the region of1865
of the order of1903
give or take1958
not unadjacent to1966
1958 ‘P. Bryant’ Two Hours to Doom 11 Estimate Lakenheath twelve thirty hours. Give or take a few minutes.
1960 ‘R. Simons’ Frame for Murder v. 59 The account..[has] stayed more or less the same, give or take a few pounds.
1962 N. Freeling Love in Amsterdam i. 15 ‘What time would that have been..?’ ‘Don't know; about a quarter to ten maybe, give or take. Who's dead?’ he joked.
1967 M. Waddell Otley Pursued xii. 109 It was 6.42 by my Petticoat Lane watch, give or take ten minutes or so.
f. I('ll) give you that: I admit that; I concede the truth of what you say. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > acceptance, reception, or admission > [phrase]
touché1907
I('ll) give you that1917
1917 A. Conan Doyle His Last Bow viii. 292 James was a bonehead—I give you that.
1966 Daily Mail 7 Nov. 4/5 He..savoured the flavour with great deliberation. ‘Sort of salty mate, but tasty, I'll give you that.’
40. intransitive. To yield, give way.
a. To yield to pressure or strain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > pliableness > be pliable [verb (intransitive)]
plyc1395
give1577
switch1854
whip1872
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > give way under force or pressure [verb (intransitive)]
alet?c1400
yield1552
give way1640
to give back1674
give1687
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 108 The Olyue..wyll geue and bend, and so wyll the Poplar, the Wyllowe.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 267 If that Cable had given as the other Two did, the Ship must unavoidably have been lost.
1715 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture I. ix. 15 If..the walls should happen to sink, or to give more on one side than the other [etc.].
1827 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 193/1 When..the bricks were removed down nearly to the ends of the ties, these ‘gave’.
1872 S. Butler Erewhon v. 32 My boots had begun to give, for I had been going on rough ground for more than three weeks.
1879 R. Jefferies Wild Life 72 The wood..‘gives’ a little and does not jar when struck.
1889 R. L. Stevenson Master of Ballantrae ix. 240 The rail of the fence gave suddenly under his weight.
1890 Universal Rev. Aug. 616 The harness of officialism..gave a little at the joints.
1890 Tablet 25 Oct. 650 When it begins to give and part it will be too late to cement the union.
1890 Illustr. London News 1 Nov. 554/1 My head spun and throbbed, and my feet felt the world give under them.
1892 Black & White 2 Jan. 21/2 The great hayrick is giving. They're all out trying to prop it up.
1893 Longman's Mag. Apr. 551 The lock did not give.
b. Of a joint, the nerves: To lose tension, to become relaxed, to fail.
ΚΠ
1892 Field 29 Oct. 656/2 Rendered worse than useless by his knee giving.
1897 Pall Mall Mag. Nov. 335 My nerves began to give.
c. (Of persons): To accommodate one's attitude to; (of a dress) to adjust itself to (the varying curves of the figure). Also, to allow free play, yield to. Also, to give ground, draw back.
ΚΠ
1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 166 Persons..giving..to the motion of the vessel, like outside passengers by a stage~coach.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lii. 75 Dare we to this doctrine give . View more context for this quotation
1866 A. Thomas Played Out II. ii. 40 Miss Lethbridge's habit..Fitting her splendidly, ‘giving’ to every curve and line of her supple figure.
1885 H. R. Haggard King Solomon's Mines xiv. 222 The Greys ceased to give.
d. To be affected by atmospheric influences; (a) of colours, to fade; (b) to deliquesce, effloresce, soften, or deteriorate, from the effect of damp; (c) to become damp, (appear to) exude moisture, as a stone floor after a thaw (see eve v.2); (d) of timber, to shrink from dryness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > by exposure to atmosphere
give1546
weather1821
wind1842
1546 Princess Elizabeth in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 147 From the grace of the pictur the coulers may fade by time, may giue by wether, may be spotted by chance.
1677 N. Grew Disc. Colours Plants iii. §27 There are some Salts, which will not give in the least.1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 26 Be sure before you carry your large Cocks [of hay] in, to open them once, and to spread them in the Sun, because 'tis apt to give in the Cock.1745 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) II. 391 The damp weather made the cement give.1890 Standard 9 Aug. 2/7 The wicket was in fine condition all day, and at present shows no signs of giving.1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 21 Some moyst weather hath..caused the powder to give and danke.1641 T. Goodwin Tryall Christians Growth i. 125 As we see against rainy weather, before the raine begins to fall, the stones will give, as we use to say, and grow danke.1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. I. 293 It will keep long without giving or calcining.1894 ‘A. St. Aubyn’ Orchard Damerel II. ix. 188 The old stones in the aisles were ‘giving’, as the sexton used to say in his homely way of describing mildew and damp.1961 Countryman 58 iii. 468 ‘The walls are giving’ does not mean that they are collapsing, but that they are moist.figurative.a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iv. iii. 485 Flinty mankinde: whose eyes do neuer giue, But thorow Lust and Laughter. View more context for this quotation1633 G. Herbert Vertue in Temple iv Onely a sweet and vertuous soul, Like season'd timber, never gives; But though the whole world turn to coal, Then chiefly lives.1658 tr. F. Bacon Hist. Life & Death 8 in Sylva Sylvarum (ed. 7) Planchers of Houses, which at first lay close together but after they are dried, gave [1638 gape].
e. Of frosty weather: To relax its severity, to become mild; to thaw.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > become clear of frost
give1678
open1678
1678 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 426 Frosty, dry, and dusty..and then the weather gave, but no raine followed.
1709 Luttrell in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (O.H.S.) II. 436 The weather began to give and the snow to melt.
1843 G. W. Le Fevre Life Trav. Physician II. ii. ix. 287 About Christmas the weather generally gives.
a1855 W. T. Spurdens Forby's Vocab. E. Anglia (1858) III. 19 Give, to thaw. ‘It is beginning to give.’ The frost is going.
1895 Times 11 Feb. 6/3 The frost..did not ‘give’ at all in the last-named regions.
f. what gives?: what is happening? (frequently as a question or merely as a form of greeting); so what gives with (someone or something)? = what is happening to?; what is (he, etc.) doing? (Cf. German was gibt's?) colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΚΠ
1940 J. O'Hara Pal Joey 133 What gives, I asked her.
1952 S. Kauffmann Philanderer (1953) iv. 56 ‘What gives?’ ‘I don't know, he didn't tell me,’ said Rose.
1953 F. Robb Sea Hunters vi. 80 George, whistle those lubbers again and ask them what gives.
1963 J. N. Harris Weird World Wes Beattie (1964) viii. 101 What gives with this cottage anyway?
1969 Private Eye 28 Mar. 14 What gives with this sheilah?
†XII. As an early alternative for put or set.
41. In various obsolete uses, where put or set would now be used; e.g. to give (an) end, to give a period to, to give a date to, to give a stop to. Also to give in hand, to give fire to (see fire n. and int. Phrases 2c(b)).
ΚΠ
a1475 [see α. forms].
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xvii. 396 Reynawd..wyll not gyve noo yrens to your nevewe.
1490 [see γ. forms].
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. B Tyme gyuethe ende to that suffrethe ende.
1595 [see γ. forms].
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 253 His death gave an end to that warre in the yeere 1477.
1624 T. Heywood Γυναικεῖον iii. 160 To give date unto that which hath..afflicted me.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) ii. i. 132 To give some stop to those Atheistical and Epicurean Opinions.
a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 7 The imperceptible course of nature..may..give an end to our businesses and lives together.
1698 Spelman's Hist. Sacrilege 121 King Henry I..dying afterward without Issue Male, in the year 1135, gave a period to this Norman Family.
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 108 Placing..Barrels of Powder at the Foot of them, to which they give Fire, by Trains laid for that purpose.
XIII. intransitive. To have a (specified) direction.
†42. Of the sun: To direct its rays, shine. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (intransitive)] > begin to shine > shine (of or like the sun)
shinec725
give1600
sun1611
sunshine1627
sunshine1879
pelt1889
belt1942
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xviii. 112 Her troughes may be in the aire, and where the sun giueth.
43. To look, open, lead; afford a view or passage. Const. into, off, on, on to, over, to, upon. (A Gallicism: cf. French donner sur.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > go in a certain direction
incline?a1475
alien?1541
propend1545
sway1556
wing1617
lie1633
look1647
vergea1661
bias1683
preponderate1693
give1840
canalize1927
1840 T. Hook in New Monthly Mag. 60 434 The back windows..to use a French phrase, give to the gardens.
1860 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 18 Feb. 394/1 The Refractories were picking oakum, in a small room giving on a yard.
1867 R. Broughton Cometh up as Flower II. iv. 59 The verandah upon which the salon gives.
1872 C. J. Lever Ld. Kilgobbin (1875) xxviii. 165 Kate Kearney's room..‘gave’ by a window over the leads of a tower.
1872 W. D. Howells Their Wedding Journey 107 A narrow corridor gave into a wide festival space.
1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 2 Oct. 17/4 No window giving on to the Street.
1889 E. Lynn Linton Thro' Long Night I. i. vi. 83 Bed-room, dressing-room and boudoir, all gave off the first landing.
1889 E. Lynn Linton Thro' Long Night III. iii. xv. 268 It was the road which gave on to the highway.
XIV. In idiomatic phrases consisting of verb and object.
44. to give (a person or thing) birth: birth n.1 Phrases 2a; to give birth to: see birth n.1 Phrases 2b.
45. give ground
a. To retire before a superior force; †rarely with indirect object.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > manoeuvre > [verb (intransitive)] > retreat
withdraw1297
recoilc1330
faila1400
rere?a1400
give way1413
ruse?a1425
retreata1460
to leave place1487
wandis1487
settle1513
retire1533
retrace1539
dismarch1596
to come off1600
to fall back1602
retraicta1604
give grounda1616
recline1789
exfiltrate1980
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) i. iv. 15 And when the hardyest Warriors did retyre, Richard cry'de, Charge, and giue no foot of ground. View more context for this quotation
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. 81 His arrivall stayed the fury of the Pagans in such sort, as they began to give him ground.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes iii. 181 The Pagans [began] to give ground.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 6. ⁋9 They are once again forced to give ground.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xxii. 433 The enemy was beginning to give ground.
b. figurative. To yield; to relax effort.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > be irresolute or vacillate [verb (intransitive)] > waver
flecchec1300
waverc1315
remue1340
shake1340
flitc1386
flow1434
falter1521
flitter1543
to waver as, like, with the wind1548
rove1549
float1598
jarga1614
give ground1662
weaken1876
unbend1877
1662 W. Lee in Pagitt's Heresiogr. (new ed.) Stationer to Rdr. sig. (a)2v Hereupon is he persecuted, reviled,..He gave not ground for all this, but bore up manfully.
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 258 Though the giving ground in such Cases be what we are apt rather to pity than to condemn.
1888 Mrs. H. Ward Robert Elsmere II. ii. xvi. 52 As a man wavers in a wrestling match when his opponent unexpectedly gives ground.
†c. To yield precedence (obsolete).
ΚΠ
1652 P. Heylyn Cosmographie i. sig. O6 Vallies of great fertilitie, not giving ground for fruitfulness to the best in Europe.
46. give it
a. With dative or to: To make an attack either with blows or words. Also colloquial, to give it hot.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (intransitive)]
reprovec1330
sniba1400
reprehend?a1439
expostulate1574
to rap (a person) on the knuckles (also fingers)1584
give it1594
reprimand1681
to pin a person's ears back1861
yell1886
to jump down a person's throat1916
to chew (a person's) ass1946
to slap (a person) down1960
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. iii. 65 Now Masters draw, Oh well said Lucius, Good boy in Virgoes lappe, giue it Pallas. View more context for this quotation
1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares i. sig. C2 Ile giue it him home.
1831 T. B. Macaulay Lett. 30 May ‘I am glad you put that in’ [an apology for using the word constituency], said her ladyship [Lady Holland]. ‘I was just going to give it you. It is an odious word.’
1872 Punch 27 Apr. 169/1 The Commander-in-Chief has given it to the offenders rather hot.
1878 Scribner's Monthly 16 191/1 Now he is giving it to him!
b. slang. With to: To rob, defraud.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > perpetrate (a swindle) [verb (transitive)] > defraud or swindle
defraud1362
deceivec1380
plucka1500
lurch1530
defeata1538
souse1545
lick1548
wipe1549
fraud1563
use1564
cozen1573
nick1576
verse1591
rooka1595
trim1600
skelder1602
firk1604
dry-shave1620
fiddle1630
nose1637
foista1640
doa1642
sharka1650
chouse1654
burn1655
bilk1672
under-enter1692
sharp1699
stick1699
finger1709
roguea1714
fling1749
swindle1773
jink1777
queer1778
to do over1781
jump1789
mace1790
chisel1808
slang1812
bucket1819
to clean out1819
give it1819
to put in the hole1819
ramp1819
sting1819
victimize1839
financier1840
gum1840
snakea1861
to take down1865
verneuk1871
bunco1875
rush1875
gyp1879
salt1882
daddle1883
work1884
to have (one) on toast1886
slip1890
to do (a person) in the eye1891
sugar1892
flay1893
to give (someone) the rinky-dink1895
con1896
pad1897
screw1900
short-change1903
to do in1906
window dress1913
ream1914
twist1914
clean1915
rim1918
tweedle1925
hype1926
clip1927
take1927
gazump1928
yentz1930
promote1931
to take (someone) to the cleaners1932
to carve up1933
chizz1948
stiff1950
scam1963
to rip off1969
to stitch up1970
skunk1971
to steal (someone) blind1974
diddle-
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 177 Give it to, to rob or defraud any place or person, as, I gave it to him for his reader, I robb'd him of his pocket-book.
†c. = to give tongue at tongue n. 7a. (obsolete).
ΚΠ
1600 W. Cornwallis Ess. I. xiv. sig. I5 How well Iumball gaue it in such a dry path, he hath a Nose cries one, lyke a Beagle, and yet a verie deepe mouth.
47. give place: (const. to).
†a. To give ground, yield to pressure or force (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > retire, withdraw, or retreat
withdraw1297
recoilc1330
give place1382
arrear1399
to draw backa1400
resortc1425
adrawc1450
recedec1450
retraya1470
returna1470
rebut1481
wyke1481
umbedrawc1485
retreata1500
retract1535
retire1542
to give back1548
regress1552
to fall back?1567
peak1576
flinch1578
to fall offa1586
to draw off1602
to give ground1607
retrograde1613
to train off1796
to beat a retreat1861
to back off1938
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > accept without resistance [verb (transitive)] > give in or submit to action, treatment, or events
undergoc1175
give place1382
receivec1384
obeyc1390
to go under ——a1400
servec1400
underliec1400
submitc1425
subscribe1560
resign1593
stoop1611
to let loose1667
to qualify on1753
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Judges xx. 36 The which thing biholdynge the sones of Yrael ȝeuen to hem place to flee.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) i. iii. 4 Right as the fletyng ayer yeuyth place to the flyght of byrdes..so was al this erthe passyble to spirites.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Suffolk xxii Which must perforce geve place vnto the wave.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias lviii. 121 The enimies were driuen to giue place.
figurative.c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Rom. xii. 19 Gyue ȝe place to ire.c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 35 The Generall gaue place to his earnest suite.1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 605 Although he were glad to depart and giue place to his euill fortune for a time [etc.].1638 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 5 I am resolved to give fortune place.
b. To quit one's place to make room (for another); to yield precedence; †figurative to be inferior, ‘yield’ to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > supplanting or replacement > take the place of or replace [verb (intransitive)] > be replaced by
give placec1384
yield1604
cede1633
decede1655
give way1713
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xiv. 9 He comynge that clepide thee and him, seye to thee, Ȝyue place to this.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 279 Stynt, I say, gyf men place!
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Dviiv The water deuydyng it selfe, and gyueng place to them for their passage.
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. X.iiiv Limpyng age will hedge him now, Where youth must geue him place.
a1566 R. Edwards Damon & Pithias (1571) sig. Givv Geue place, let the prisoner come by, geue place.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 69 Giving place to none that is neere unto you for auncientnesse of acquaintaunce.
a1604 M. Hanmer Chron. Ireland 83 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) Hee prudently governed his Church some thirty yeeres, and gave place to nature.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 91 A House and Garden of the Kings, giuing place to few in Parthia.
1748 J. Hervey Contempl. Night in Medit. & Contempl. (ed. 2) II. 7 What was gay..as well as glittering..gives place to an universal Gravity.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. IV. 171 The body of Henry, which lay on the right hand, immediately moved to the left, and gave place to his imperial consort.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxiv. 268 Thessaly's youth gave place to the Gods high-throned in heaven.
†c. To yield or defer (to advice) (obsolete).
ΚΠ
1578 T. Tymme tr. J. Calvin Comm. Genesis xv. 324 The wicked..do at no hand giue credite to his promises: but the godly..they giue place lest they stop the way to the word of God.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 115 If yee had given place to that saving word of mine, which hath beene delivered unto you.
d. To be succeeded or superseded (by another person or thing). [In the first two senses the phrase is a literal rendering of Latin dare locum, Greek τόπον διδόναι.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > succeed or follow [verb (transitive)] > be succeeded by
give placea1555
a1555 J. Hooper in M. Coverdale Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 153 His enemies both of the body and soule..when death commeth they shal auoide and geue place to such ioyes as be prepared for vs in Christ.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 49. ⁋3 These Gentlemen..give place to Men who have Business or good Sense in their Faces.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 158 The liturgy gave place to the Presbyterian directory.
a1889 W. Collins Blind Love (1890) III. lx. 240 Autumn had given place to winter.
48. give rise to: see rise n. Phrases 2.
49. give way
a. Of fighting men: = give ground at sense 45. To retreat before an advancing force; to break rank. Also transferred and figurative. Const. to.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > manoeuvre > [verb (intransitive)] > retreat
withdraw1297
recoilc1330
faila1400
rere?a1400
give way1413
ruse?a1425
retreata1460
to leave place1487
wandis1487
settle1513
retire1533
retrace1539
dismarch1596
to come off1600
to fall back1602
retraicta1604
give grounda1616
recline1789
exfiltrate1980
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxx. 78 The chyuetayns haue at the moost nede of socour yeuen weye to their enemyes and made the peple proye to them.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. kij/2 They..made so grete bruyt that the moost hardyest of the paynyms gaf them waye.
1708 F. Atterbury 14 Serm. 320 With how much greater difficulty, every time that we give way, we recover our ground.
1803 W. Tennant Indian Recreat. II. 383 Our troops..by some strange mismanagement gave way on the right.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. lv. 567 The Guards, fighting gallantly, began to give way nevertheless.
†b. To make way; leave the way clear. In early use often to give the way. Const. to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > [phrase] > abandon oneself to emotion
give wayc1515
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > retire, withdraw, or retreat > out of the way
to give rooma1350
to stand backc1390
to make way?a1425
to stand aback?a1439
to make rooma1450
roomc1450
give wayc1515
to give by1633
shunt1869
to move over1914
extend2000
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xxxviii. 122 They gaue hym way, nor durst aproche nere hym.
1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 102 He himselfe would arise up unto the said consuls and give them the way [L. decedere via].
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 55 The coaches comming downe from the upper parts, give the way to those that come up.
1687 R. Boyle Martyrdom Theodora (1703) vii. 90 Such sentiments..as made them with great respect give her way.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 226 Scarce had he spoken, when the Cloud gave way, The Mists flew upward, and dissolv'd in day.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 37 A common feeling of respect induced passengers to give way to the father and daughter.
c. To make room for; be superseded by. Const. to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > supplanting or replacement > take the place of or replace [verb (intransitive)] > be replaced by
give placec1384
yield1604
cede1633
decede1655
give way1713
1713 R. Steele Englishman No. 12 Sophistry must give way to Learning.
1852 H. Rogers Eclipse of Faith 70 My early Christian faith has given way to doubt.
1885 M. Linskill Lost Son 275 The surliness had given way to something deeper.
†d. To allow free scope, opportunity, or liberty of action to. Also in indirect passive, and to give way (to a person) to do, that, etc. Obsolete; passing into 49f, and 49g.
ΚΠ
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) i. 5 And knowing that the violence of sorrow is not at the first to be striven withall..they gave way unto it for that day and the next.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. ii. 81 I gaue bold way to my authority, And did commit you. View more context for this quotation
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. I4 Antoninus Pius..not only ceasing persecution, but giuing way to the aduancement of Christians. View more context for this quotation
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 1 Certaine..could not be brought..to giue way to good Letters.
1631 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 15 This is not to be given way to.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 133 Giving thereby rather way and encouragement to the Infante, to demand her.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 610 I will give way to a shepheard, not more foolish then wicked, to arise in my Church.
a1657 W. Bradford Hist. Plymouth Plantation in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. (1856) 4th Ser. III. 134 At length, after much debate of things, the Govr..gave way that they should set corne every man for his owne perticuler.
1793 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 143 They who, through weakness, gave way to the ill-designs of bad men [etc.].
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. v. 517 From that moment the General gave way to his spirit of dissatisfaction and complaint.]
e. Of things, material and immaterial: To yield, be dislodged, break down (under pressure or violence). †Const. to (obsolete). Of the health, mental powers, etc.: To break down, fail.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > give way under force or pressure [verb (intransitive)]
alet?c1400
yield1552
give way1640
to give back1674
give1687
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes iii. 2 All the skill and courage the Marriners had were faine to give way to the violence of this tempest.
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 683 Their Cannon being neither raised nor well planted, by their own weight and force were fixed, until at last the Sands giving way, they were removed.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 206 The stoutest Vessel to the Storm gave way, And suck'd through loosen'd Planks the rushing Sea.
1726 Four Years Voy. Capt. G. Roberts 123 If any Thing gave Way, we could better mend it..by Day.
1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. v. 422 The bashfulness of the guests soon gave way before good cheer and affability.
1849 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 16 269/2 His health gave way to the attacks of disease.
1849 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 16 316/2 He rung the bell till the rope gave way.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xvi. 116 Once upon a steep hard slope Bennen's footing gave way.
1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxii, in Monthly Packet Sept. 222 His strength gave way under repeated wounds.
1885 Law Rep.: Probate Div. 10 90 Her health evidently gave way soon after her marriage.
1889 M. E. Kennard Landing Prize III. ii. 33 Neither knot nor gut gave way under the tremendous strain.
1889 M. Caird Wing of Azrael ii. xvi. 19 Her voice shook and gave way at the last word.
f. Of persons: To yield under solicitation or insistence; to make concessions; to defer to the will of another. Const. to.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > consent > consent to [verb (transitive)] > concede to or comply with
granta1250
i-yettc1275
listenc1290
to listen onc1330
submita1387
consent1393
tenderc1430
servec1450
ottroye1477
admit1529
yield1572
closea1616
concede1632
comply1650
to fall in1651
to come into ——1704
give way1758
accordc1820
1758 Ld. Kames in J. Thomson Acct. Life W. Cullen (1832) I. 601 If you give way to every patient..you will never stir from Edinburgh.
1821 J. W. Croker in Diary 30 July (1884) When he gives way..he does it with so bad a grace [etc.].
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iii. §2. 120 At the very moment of apparent triumph John suddenly gave way.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 132 He gives way to a sentiment which in his own case he would control.
g. To abandon oneself to (anger, grief, etc.).
ΚΠ
1817 [see sense 49d].
1822 W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel III. xi. 309 Here the dame was..inclined to give way to a passion of tears.
1880 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times III. xxxiii. 70 He never gave way either to anger or alarm.
1891 Strand Mag. May 552/2 Don't give way to despair so quickly.
h. To allow one's self-control or fortitude to be broken down.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > offer no resistance [verb (intransitive)] > give in
descend?a1400
to give up the girdlea1400
submita1525
to give over1530
subscribe1560
yield1576
come1607
to give in1616
to give the stoop1623
buckle1642
incumb1656
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
capitulate1714
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
cave1844
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
incline1866
to give (it) best1878
give way1879
to roll over1919
1879 M. E. Braddon Vixen III. 150 ‘The fact is, she gives way too much’, exclaimed active little Mrs. Scobel, who had never given way in her life.
1879 ‘E. Lyall’ Won by Waiting xvii Her old courage kept her from quite giving way.
i. Of stocks and shares: To fall in price.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (intransitive)] > state of market or prices > fall or rise (of prices)
to look downwards1796
to look downward1801
to look down1808
rally1826
sag1870
give way1883
slump1888
firm1896
move1904
spurt1931
perform1933
dip1956
to pull back1966
to go in the tank1974
1883 Manch. Examiner 30 Nov. 4/1 Mexican Ordinary at the morning was 11/ 4 up, but it afterwards gave way, the final price being 651/ 2 ex. div.
j. Nautical. (See quot. 1867.)
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > renew rowing or increase rate
give way1802
1802 Trans. Soc. Arts 20 327 The steersman should..encourage the rowers to give way.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxv. 79 Give way boys! Give way! Lay out on your oars, and long stroke!
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Give way, the order to a boat's crew to renew rowing, or to increase their exertions if they were already rowing. To hang on the oars.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xvi. 134 The next moment..we had shoved off and given way.

Phrasal verbs

PV1. Idiomatically combined with adverbs. to give about
†1. transitive. To encompass; surround. [translating Latin circumdare.] Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)]
befong971
beclipc1000
begoc1000
belieOE
bestandc1000
to go about ——OE
umbegangc1200
behema1250
befallc1275
berunc1275
girdc1290
bihalvena1300
umlapa1300
umlaya1300
umlouka1300
umbegoc1300
belayc1320
halsea1340
enclose1340
umbelapa1350
embracec1360
betrendc1374
circlec1374
umbecasta1375
to give about1382
environa1393
umbeclipa1395
compassa1400
encircle?a1400
enourle?a1400
umbegivea1400
umbeseta1400
umbeliec1400
umbetighc1400
enroundc1420
measurec1425
umbsteadc1450
adviron?1473
purprise1481
umbeviron1489
belta1500
girtha1500
overgirda1500
engirt15..
envirea1513
round?a1513
brace1513
umbereach1513
becompass1520
circuea1533
girtc1540
umbsetc1540
circule1553
encompass1555
circulate?a1560
ingyre1568
to do about1571
engird1573
circumdate1578
succinge1578
employ1579
circuate1581
girdle1582
wheel1582
circumgyre1583
enring1589
ringa1592
embail1593
enfold1596
invier1596
stem1596
circumcingle1599
ingert1599
engirdle1602
circulize1603
circumscribe1605
begirt1608
to go round1610
enwheela1616
surround1616
shingle1621
encirculize1624
circumviron1632
beround1643
orba1644
circumference1646
becircle1648
incircuitc1650
circumcinge1657
circumtend1684
besiege1686
cincture1789
zone1795
cravat1814
encincture1820
circumvent1824
begirdle1837
perambulate1863
cordon1891
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. iv. 8 Loo! y ȝaue about [or cumpasside] thee with boondis.
1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Giffe abowtte, circumdare, circumstipare.
2. To distribute, circulate (writings); to spread (a rumour).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > rumour > [verb (transitive)] > bear tales or rumours
bearOE
scandalize1490
tattle1593
gossip1611
to give abouta1715
to call the clash1825
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 542 He [sc. Ferguson] gave about most of the pamphlets writ of that side: And with some he past for the author of them.
1724 J. Swift Let. to People of Ireland 15 It hath been given about for several Days past, that Some body in England empowered a Second Some body [etc.].
 to give again
1. transitive. To give back, restore; to give in return. Also †to give againward.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > giving back or restitution > give back [verb (transitive)]
yieldc897
agiveOE
again-setOE
restorec1325
acquitc1330
to pay outa1382
refundc1386
to give againa1400
quita1400
restituec1400
reliver1426
surrend1450
redeliver1490
refer1496
render1513
rebail1539
re-present1564
regive1575
to give backa1586
to turn back1587
relate1590
turn1597
returna1632
to hand back1638
redonate1656
reappropriate1659
re-cede1684
revert1688
replace1776
restitute1885
to kick back1926
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16476 Here i yeld yow yur mone, ges me a-gain mi war.
c1400 A. Davy Five Dreams 19 No strook ne ȝaf he aȝeinward.
1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Gife a-gayne, redonare.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 566/2 I gyve agayne,..je rens.
2. intransitive. To soften; to yield. literal and figurative. Cf. 40d, 6e Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > become soft [verb (intransitive)]
nesheOE
soften?c1425
mollify1528
to give again1617
mauma1642
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 80 Minerall Salt..is..lesse subject to giving againe, then our boiled salt.
1623 G. Markham Countrey Contentm. vii. 215 (Vnlesse the place where it is kept be like a Hot-house) it will so danke and giue againe, that it will be little better then raw Malt.
1855 [see γ. forms].
1869 J. C. Atkinson Peacock's Gloss. Dial. Hundred of Lonsdale Give again, to thaw, to yield, of a frost; to relax through damp or fermentation.
1877 F. Ross et al. Gloss. Words Holderness (at cited word) Bread is said to give-ageean when it loses its pristine crispness, and becomes soft and moist.
 to give away
1. transitive. To alienate from oneself by gift; to dispose of as a present, as alms, or in any way gratuitously. Also (usually in past participle) given away with a pound of tea: (of an article, usually something of little value) given, or as if given, free with a pound of tea; esp. in derisive use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give away
to give awaya1400
to boon awayc1661
a1400 Sir Perc. 1983 Thou hase giffene thi part of bothe away.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) ii. 169 The more he gat, the more still he shewed that he (as it were) gave away to his new mistresse, when he betrayed his promises to the former.
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living iv. §3 Charity 249 Love gives away all things that so he may advance the interest of the beloved person.
1709 F. Atterbury Serm. St. Brigit's 11 Whatsoever we employ in Charitable Uses, during our Lives, is given away from our selves; what we bequeath at our Deaths, is given from others only.]
1831 D. Brewster Mem. Life Newton (1855) II. xxvii. 411 He used to remark that they who gave away nothing till they died, never gave at all.
1888 C. E. L. Riddell Nun's Curse II. iv. 89 He gave away most of his income.
1890 Punch 28 June 306/2 But Shopman Salisbury, why should he stand And advertise goods of his master J. B. As ‘Given away with a Pound of Tea’?
a1899 Mod. The prices realised were wretchedly low; the goods were almost given away.
1937 D. L. Sayers Busman's Honeymoon xix. 314 They would not have it if it were given away with a pound of tea.
1958 Times 4 Dec. 13/4 It used to fall to the lot of some hapless object to be ‘given away with a pound of tea’.
1966 ‘L. Lane’ ABZ of Scouse 40 Given away wid a pound of tea, said of something considered tawdry and worthless such as a very cheap engagement-ring.
2. To perform the ceremony of handing over (a bride) to the bridegroom at a marriage.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > wedding or nuptials > celebrate (a marriage) [verb (transitive)] > hand over bride
to give away1719
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 191 I was Father at the Altar..and gave her away.
1826 C. Lamb in New Monthly Mag. Feb. 226 The bride..presented to him as her father—the gentleman that was to give her away.
1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxli, in Monthly Packet Oct. 317 Mary was given away..by the Marquis of Winchester.
†3. To sacrifice (another's interests or rights).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > sacrifice for sake of higher claim > another's interests or rights
to give away1548
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI 155 b Yea, said the capitain, so that you geve away no mannes right, but his, whose aucthoritie you have.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 28 Be merry Cassio, For thy soiliciter shall rather die, Then giue thee cause away. View more context for this quotation
1711 Countess of Dorchester in 15th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1899) App. iv. 681 Represent to her Majesty that this would be giving away my Lord's rank, who is an older Lieutenant General than Lord Orkney.
4. Originally U.S. slang. To betray, expose (oneself, another person) to detection or ridicule; to let slip (a secret), esp. through carelessness or stupidity. See also to give the show away at show n.1 Phrases 2d.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)] > incidentally or inadvertently
betraisec1400
babble?1535
to let fall1592
display1602
split1850
to give away1878
1878 Scribner's Monthly 15 812/1 Ye went back on her, and shook her, and played off on her, and gave her away—dead away!
1883 F. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius ii I thought he would give himself away.
1889 Answers 20 Apr. 326 My closely cropped hair, however, ‘gave me away’.
1891 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 20 Feb. 4/1 General Sherman would not be told a secret. He said he would give it away to the first person he met.
1914 G. B. Shaw Pygmalion (1916) i. 114 They want to drop Kentish Town; but they give themselves away every time they open their mouths.
1922 D. H. Lawrence England my England 132 He'd burn your letters for fear they'd give him away.
5. To distribute.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)]
britteneOE
to-dealeOE
dealOE
britOE
setc1275
dispensec1374
dispendc1375
to-seta1387
dispone1429
disposec1430
sparple1435
demean1439
distributea1464
distribue1477
issuec1484
communy1530
to deal out1535
impart1545
disperse1555
retail1576
digest1578
deliver1626
to hand out1648
to dispose of1676
dispensate1701
dole1701
to give out1710
sling1860
to give away1889
to pass out1926
dish1934
1889 F. C. Philips & C. J. Wills Fatal Phryne I. iii. 59 Then the old vicaire gave away the prizes.
1891 Cornhill Mag. Oct. 393 She gives away tracts, addresses meetings.
6. intransitive. Misused for give way (? = give a way). Latterly U.S.
ΚΠ
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xii. 579/1 The whole power of the French gaue away, and sought to saue it selfe by flight.
1747 S. Fielding Adventures David Simple (1752) I. 37 I have continually languished for Impossibilities, and given away to Desires as madly as if [etc.].
1816 U. Brown Jrnl. in Maryland Hist. Mag. (1916) 11 232 I was Just going to pay the Chain carriers & dismiss them, James gave away, Although full 6 feet high & well made.
1833 H. Barnard in Maryland Hist. Mag. (1918) 13 305 He spoke about an hour and a half, and gave away on account of a sudden dizziness in his head and failure of voice.
1893 Boston Weekly Transcript 27 Jan. 4/2 His death is as though one of the sheet anchors of society had suddenly given away.
1903 R. T. Ely Stud. Evol. Industr. Society 42 The cattle-raising frontier has given away continually to higher stages.
7. transitive. To give up, resign, surrender. rare.
ΚΠ
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam iv. 4 To Sleep I give my powers away . View more context for this quotation
8. Esp. to give it away. To abandon, give up, stop. Australian slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > non-completion > abandon an attempt or enterprise [verb (intransitive)]
unbenda1400
unbinda1400
to leave (a person) the field?c1450
to give upa1616
to call (it) quits1851
to pull the pin1860
to hang up one's fiddle1889
to pack in1906
to pack up1925
to cop out1942
to give it away1949
1949 L. Glassop Lucky Palmer iii. 37 It's about time you mugs woke up to yourself. You're not in the race to get in without a ticket. Why don't you give the game away?
1950 ‘N. Shute’ Town like Alice v. 148 ‘I've changed my mind,’ he said. ‘I'm going to give it away... I won't be writing any letter.’
1955 J. Cleary Justin Bayard v. 72 When I spoke to you.., you didn't say you'd given the idea away.
1961 P. White Riders in Chariot ix. 260 He was at that time driving a truck for a firewood contractor, though he was thinking of giving it away and starting a line in poultry manure.
1968 D. Ireland Chantic Bird iii. 28 I only hit him a few times, then I gave it away for the night.
 to give back
1. transitive. (See simple senses and back adv.) To restore; to surrender again; to reciprocate; to reflect, to echo, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give in return
yield971
quita1400
gain-yield1435
render1477
answer1565
regive1575
return1584
to give backa1586
redound1597
retort1602
re-render1628
remete1647
the mind > possession > giving > giving back or restitution > give back [verb (transitive)]
yieldc897
agiveOE
again-setOE
restorec1325
acquitc1330
to pay outa1382
refundc1386
to give againa1400
quita1400
restituec1400
reliver1426
surrend1450
redeliver1490
refer1496
render1513
rebail1539
re-present1564
regive1575
to give backa1586
to turn back1587
relate1590
turn1597
returna1632
to hand back1638
redonate1656
reappropriate1659
re-cede1684
revert1688
replace1776
restitute1885
to kick back1926
the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)]
rebounda1450
reflexc1536
reflect1555
return1557
repercuss1604
retort1609
refract1621
reverberate1638
to throw back1698
flash1716
to give back1831
glint1844
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > resound [verb (transitive)] > reverberate or echo
answera1425
redoublea1542
rebound1555
return1557
reply1565
report1589
re-echo1595
repercuss?a1597
render1598
reverberate1603
respeak1604
reverb1608
retort1609
reword1609
revoice1610
refract1621
to give back1889
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) ii. 142 With that he gave her back the paper.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iv. iii. 18 Take, and giue backe affayres. View more context for this quotation
1707 F. Atterbury Serm. St. Paul's in Serm. & Discourses II. 101 'Till their vices perhaps give back all those advantages which their victories procured.
1709 M. Prior Despairing Shepherd He gave 'em back their friendly Tears, He sigh'd, but wou'd not speak.
1823 Douglas, or Field of Otterburn I. xi 146 [He] defied my threats, and gave back my reproaches.
1831 F. A. Kemble in Rec. of Girlhood (1878) II. ix. 249 It is the still, deep, placid element that gives back the images.
1889 J. Masterman Scotts of Bestminster II. viii. 43 The sandy tracks gave back no rumble.
†2. intransitive. To retreat, fall back. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > retire, withdraw, or retreat
withdraw1297
recoilc1330
give place1382
arrear1399
to draw backa1400
resortc1425
adrawc1450
recedec1450
retraya1470
returna1470
rebut1481
wyke1481
umbedrawc1485
retreata1500
retract1535
retire1542
to give back1548
regress1552
to fall back?1567
peak1576
flinch1578
to fall offa1586
to draw off1602
to give ground1607
retrograde1613
to train off1796
to beat a retreat1861
to back off1938
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV 218 By reason of whiche succors, kyng Edwardes parte gaue a litle backe.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres iii. lxxvii. sig. Q2 Now backe he giues, then rushes on amaine.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 108 So they [Fiends] gave back, and came no farther. View more context for this quotation
1814 Theodora iv. ii Give back—make way—Room for the prisoner's witness.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. III 484 Slowly then Did he give back face foremost from the men.
†3. Of a surface: To recede. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1723 E. Chambers tr. S. Le Clerc Treat. Archit. I. 86 The Entablature is sometimes made to give back or retreat a little between the Columns.
†4. To yield to pressure. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > give way under force or pressure [verb (intransitive)]
alet?c1400
yield1552
give way1640
to give back1674
give1687
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 71 As if he should thrust it against some hard body at rest, of too stout a withstanding to yield way or give back.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 185 Christian..began to try at the Dungion door, whose bolt (as he turned the Key) gave back . View more context for this quotation
 to give by
† intransitive. To stand aside. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > retire, withdraw, or retreat > out of the way
to give rooma1350
to stand backc1390
to make way?a1425
to stand aback?a1439
to make rooma1450
roomc1450
give wayc1515
to give by1633
shunt1869
to move over1914
extend2000
1633 S. Marmion Fine Compan. v. i Give by Crochet, till I question them.
 to give down
transitive. Of a cow; To let flow (milk). Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > dairy farming > dairy farm [verb (transitive)] > let milk flow
to give down1700
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Of Pythagorean Philos. in Fables 509 And daily to give down the Milk she bred, A Tribute for the Grass on which she fed.
1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. vi. 99 In the course of ten days she gave down her milk.
1878 Scribner's Monthly 15 382 Give down! Give down—my crumpled brown!
 to give forth
†1. transitive. To offer; to hold out. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)]
i-bedea800
bidOE
make?a1160
forthc1200
bihedec1275
proffera1325
yielda1382
dressc1384
to serve fortha1393
dight1393
pretend1398
nurnc1400
offerc1425
profita1450
tent1459
tend1475
exhibit1490
propine1512
presentc1515
oblate1548
pretence1548
defer?1551
to hold forth1560
prefer1567
delatea1575
to give forth1584
tender1587
oppose1598
to hold out1611
shore1787
1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft iii. i. 40 The diuell giueth foorth his hand.
2. To emit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit
send971
stretchc1275
casta1300
sheda1325
manda1350
to throw outa1413
yielda1450
devoida1475
render1481
reflair1509
sup out1513
to give out1530
utter1536
spout1568
to give fortha1586
to let fly1590
to put out1614
eject1616
evacuate1622
ejaculate1625
emit1626
fling1637
outsend1647
exert1660
extramit1668
exclude1677
emane1708
extromita1711
evolve1772
emanate1797
discharge1833
exsert1835
to give off1840
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) ii. 122 All the sparkes of vertue..were so blown to giue forth their vttermost heat.
1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. ix. 176 We do not hear that Memnon's statue gave forth its melody at all under the rushing of the mightiest wind.
1878 Scribner's Monthly 16 510/2 The fields..give forth an odor of spring.
1886 A. Sergeant No Saint II. i. 15 An owl gave forth..a long, weird, melancholy note.
3. To spread abroad, publish; to report, rumour.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > publish or spread abroad [verb (transitive)]
sowc888
blowc1275
dispeple1297
to do abroadc1300
fame1303
publyc1350
defamea1382
publisha1382
open?1387
proclaima1393
slandera1400
spreada1400
abroachc1400
throwc1400
to give outa1425
promote?a1425
noisec1425
publicc1430
noisec1440
divulgea1464
to put outc1475
skail1487
to come out witha1500
bruit1525
bruita1529
to bear out1530
divulgate1530
promulgate1530
propale?1530
ventilate1530
provulgate1535
sparple1536
sparse1536
promulge1539
disperse1548
publicate1548
forthtell1549
hurly-burly?1550
propagate1554
to set abroada1555
utter1561
to set forth1567
blaze1570
evulgate1570
scatter1576
rear?1577
to carry about1585
pervulgate1586
celebrate?1596
propalate1598
vent1602
evulge1611
to give forth1611
impublic1628
ventilate1637
disseminate1643
expose1644
emit1650
to put about1664
to send abroad1681
to get abroad1688
to take out1697
advertise1710
forward1713
to set abouta1715
circulate1780
broadcast1829
vent1832
vulgate1851
debit1879
float1883
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 1 He gaue foorth, that hee had not seene any profit to come by any Synode.
1620 N. Brent tr. P. Sarpi Hist. Councel of Trent viii. 774 By this he was forced to giue foorth his Oration, and sent a copie of it to Rome.
a1627 J. Hayward Life & Raigne Edward Sixt (1630) 84 Soone after it was giuen forth, and belieued by many that the King was dead.
1727 J. Oldmixon Clarendon & Whitlock Compar'd 272 It was given forth to be by Commission from the King, and there is great reason to suspect it.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. xlii. 430 The king gave forth a proclamation.
1880 T. Fowler Locke iv. 59 Locke..then gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.
 to give in
1. intransitive. To yield; to give up the contest; to acknowledge oneself beaten; occasionally (colloquial) to admit under pressure of argument (that).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > be irresolute or vacillate [verb (intransitive)] > give way or give in
benda1400
sink?a1513
to give over1530
to cry creak?1562
yield1576
to hold up1596
succumb1604
to give in1616
to hoist, lower, strike the topsaila1629
to cry cravena1634
to give up or cross the cudgels1654
incumb1656
to fall in1667
to knock under1670
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
chuck up (the sponge)1864
to throw in one's hand1893
to sky the wipe (or towel)1907
to drop one's bundle1915
to throw (chuck, or toss) in the towel1915
to buckle up1927
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > offer no resistance [verb (intransitive)] > give in
descend?a1400
to give up the girdlea1400
submita1525
to give over1530
subscribe1560
yield1576
come1607
to give in1616
to give the stoop1623
buckle1642
incumb1656
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
capitulate1714
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
cave1844
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
incline1866
to give (it) best1878
give way1879
to roll over1919
1616 S. Ward Coal from Altar (1627) They tire, giue in, and end in the flesh.
a1627 J. Hayward Life & Raigne Edward Sixt (1630) 32 The charge was giuen with so well gouerned fury, that the left corner of the Scots battalion was enforced to giue in.
1648 W. Jenkyn Ὁδηγος Τυϕλος iii. 57 You give in..and shew your self..a founder'd disputant.
1805 Sporting Mag. 26 56 According to the boxing phrase, [he] shewed the white feather and gave in.
1873 M. Oliphant Innocent II. ii. 36 ‘You won't give in?’ said Frederick. ‘You are just like all women. You will never allow you are in the wrong.’
1877 M. Collins Young Musgrave I. xv. 264 The squire won't give in he owns them.
1890 A. Conan Doyle Firm of Girdlestone xxiii. 262 Nothing..would..bring her to give in upon that point.
2. To yield to (a habit, fashion, opinion, or person). [Probably originated by a false analysis of give into (see to give into —— at Phrasal verbs 2) = French donner dans. (Most of our examples of give into appear in later editions as give in to.)]
ΚΠ
1793 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 483 So far from giving in to this opinion..he was clear the debt was growing on us.
1846 R. C. Trench Christ Desire of All Nations i. 23 No doubt there is a temptation to give in to this.
1873 M. Collins Squire Silchester I. x. 138 You advise me to give in to Louisa on this point?
1882 W. Blades Life & Typogr. W. Caxton 87 Caxton never gave in to the new-fangled ideas of printers about the advantage of title-pages to books.
3. To fail, die off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > of plants or crops
diec1384
to give in1840
to lose plant1844
1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 iii. 288 These plants ‘gave in’: and hardly a cane three feet high was left in the following year.
†4. To intervene. Also, to rush into conflict. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle
to come togetherOE
to lay togetherc1275
smitec1275
to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297
joustc1330
meetc1330
copec1350
assemblea1375
semblea1375
coup?a1400
to fight togethera1400
strikea1400
joinc1400
to join the battle1455
to commit battle?a1475
rencounter1497
to set ina1500
to pitch a battlea1513
concura1522
rescounter1543
scontre1545
journey1572
shock1575
yoke1581
to give in1610
mix1697
to engage a combat1855
to run (or ride) a-tilt1862
1610 J. Healey tr. J. L. Vives in tr. St. Augustine Citie of God iii. xiii. 123 In the middest of the fight the women gaue in betwixt the battels.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. 139 The gallant Pagan..gave in upon them with the Giants, hoping to break them.
1641 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. F. Biondi Hist. Civil Warres Eng. I. v. 159 Fearing..that, if new troopes of the enemy should come up, the enterprise would bee the more difficult, hee resolutely gave in amongst them.
5. transitive. To hand in, to deliver (an account, return, etc.) to the person officially appointed to receive it. to give in one's adhesion to: to notify formally one's acceptance of (principles, etc.). †Also, to deliver (a thrust); to prefer (an accusation).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another > hand in
to give in1602
to hand in1623
to pass in1869
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. D3 Pray you giue in an Epithite for loue.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 36 The third..gave him a Roll with a Seal upon it, which he bid him look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the Cœlestial Gate. View more context for this quotation
1688 Bp. G. Burnet Three Lett. State of Italy 104 Some Accusations were given in to the Inquisitors against him.
1692 W. Hope Compl. Fencing-master (ed. 2) 4 The figures giving in the thrust are Paried by the figures opposite to them.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 115 The..Officers did not give in a full Account.
1876 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxxxi, in Monthly Packet Oct. 321 The Scots gave in their adherence to the peace of Crespy.
1890 Standard 5 Nov. 5/1 The formula to which Mr. Gladstone bids us believe they have given in their adhesion.
1899 N.E.D. at Give Mod. Names of competitors must be given in before the end of the month.
6. To bestow in addition.
ΚΠ
1886 R. C. Praed Miss Jacobsen's Chance I. viii. 157 Don't be led away by that professional manner of his. It's the regulation thing, given in gratis with the prescription.
7. Of a pugilist: To droop (the head).
ΚΠ
1814 Sporting Mag. 44 240 Donnelly shewed evident symptoms of weakness, and gave his head in.
 to give off
†1. transitive. To relinquish; to cease, leave off. Sometimes with infinitive as object. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)]
forsakec893
forlet971
to reach upOE
agiveOE
yield?c1225
uptake1297
up-yield1297
yield1297
deliverc1300
to-yielda1375
overgivec1384
grant1390
forbeara1400
livera1400
forgoc1400
upgive1415
permit1429
quit1429
renderc1436
relinquish1479
abandonc1485
to hold up?1499
enlibertyc1500
surrender1509
cess1523
relent1528
to cast up?1529
resignate1531
uprender1551
demit1563
disclaim1567
to fling up1587
to give up1589
quittance1592
vail1593
enfeoff1598
revoke1599
to give off1613
disownc1620
succumb1632
abdicate1633
delinquish1645
discount1648
to pass away1650
to turn off1667
choke1747
to jack up1870
chuck up (the sponge)1878
chuckc1879
unget1893
sling1902
to jack in1948
punt1966
to-leave-
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > abandon or relinquish (an activity or occupation)
remit1587
to give up1589
quit1607
to give off1613
to get out of ——1632
ding1852
to jack up1880
jack1902
to throw in1951
toss in1956
1613 G. Wither Abuses Stript ii. iii. sig. R2v But yet I must not heere giue off to speake, To tell men wherein I haue found them weake.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. i. 27 Did not the Prophet Say, that before Ascension day at noone, My Crowne I should giue off? View more context for this quotation
1649 A. Wood Life & Times (1891) I. 151 A. Wood's mother..being much out of purse..she gave off house~keeping.
1697 R. Pierce Bath Mem. ii. viii. 375 He was perswaded to give off Riding.
1729 T. Stackhouse Compl. Body Divinity iv. i. §2. 574 The Necessity..of giving off all Intercourse with him.
†2. intransitive. To cease; to withdraw, quit the field.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)]
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
atwendOE
awayOE
to wend awayOE
awendOE
gangOE
rimeOE
flitc1175
to fare forthc1200
depart?c1225
part?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
biwitec1300
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to draw awayc1330
passc1330
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
voidc1374
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
waive1390
to pass out ofa1398
avoida1400
to pass awaya1400
to turn awaya1400
slakec1400
wagc1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
muck1429
packc1450
recede1450
roomc1450
to show (a person) the feetc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
devoidc1485
rebatea1500
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
to go one's ways1530
retire?1543
avaunt1549
to make out1558
trudge1562
vade?1570
fly1581
leave1593
wag1594
to get off1595
to go off1600
to put off1600
shog1600
troop1600
to forsake patch1602
exit1607
hence1614
to give offa1616
to take off1657
to move off1692
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
sheera1704
to go about one's business1749
mizzle1772
to move out1792
transit1797–1803
stump it1803
to run away1809
quit1811
to clear off1816
to clear out1816
nash1819
fuff1822
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
mosey1829
slope1830
to tail out1830
to walk one's chalks1835
to take away1838
shove1844
trot1847
fade1848
evacuate1849
shag1851
to get up and get1854
to pull out1855
to cut (the) cable(s)1859
to light out1859
to pick up1872
to sling one's Daniel or hook1873
to sling (also take) one's hook1874
smoke1893
screw1896
shoot1897
voetsak1897
to tootle off1902
to ship out1908
to take a (run-out, walk-out, etc.) powder1909
to push off1918
to bugger off1922
biff1923
to fuck off1929
to hit, split or take the breeze1931
to jack off1931
to piss offa1935
to do a mick1937
to take a walk1937
to head off1941
to take a hike1944
moulder1945
to chuff off1947
to get lost1947
to shoot through1947
skidoo1949
to sod off1950
peel1951
bug1952
split1954
poop1961
mugger1962
frig1965
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > quit or give up
to give offa1616
quita1642
to tie up1760
that'll be the day1916
to turn in1918
to go through1933
to walk away1950
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. iii. 23 Follow the noyse so farre as we haue quarter. Let's see how it will giue off. View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 105 Diodorus without acting any thing memorable, gave off safe.
1692 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §112 It would be kept from being too much, if we gave off as soon as we perceiv'd that it reach'd the mind.
3. transitive. To emit, throw off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit
send971
stretchc1275
casta1300
sheda1325
manda1350
to throw outa1413
yielda1450
devoida1475
render1481
reflair1509
sup out1513
to give out1530
utter1536
spout1568
to give fortha1586
to let fly1590
to put out1614
eject1616
evacuate1622
ejaculate1625
emit1626
fling1637
outsend1647
exert1660
extramit1668
exclude1677
emane1708
extromita1711
evolve1772
emanate1797
discharge1833
exsert1835
to give off1840
1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 i. 192 They gave off their moisture to the air.
1861 Temple Bar 1 260 These gases are given off very readily.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 67 Every piece of open water..is constantly giving off vapour.
4. To send off as a branch.
ΚΠ
1828 R. Knox tr. H. Cloquet Syst. Human Anat. 678 Near its origin, this artery gives off several branches [Fr. cette artère donne plusieurs branches] which ascend vertically to lose themselves in the scaleni muscles.
1849 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 10 ii. 580 Arteries..give off many branches.
1870 G. Rolleston Forms Animal Life 132 The paired nerves are given off very close to each other.
 to give on
†1. intransitive. To make an assault. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (intransitive)]
to lay ona1225
assailc1325
sailc1330
assemblea1375
to fall inc1384
to fall ona1387
givec1430
brunt1440
to set (all) on sevenc1440
to ding on1487
to fall down1534
offend1540
to go on1553
to give on?1611
to let fly1611
strikea1616
insult1638
to set on1670
aggress1708
to carry the war into the enemy's camp1791
hop over1929
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xvii. 230 The Troians first gaue on.
1646 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. F. Biondi Hist. Civil Warres Eng. II. viii. 152 With Cheerefull countenance he gave on upon the Enemy, and was as cheerefully followed by his men.
1666 E. Waller Instr. Painter 12 Where he Gives on, disposing of their Fates, Terror and Death on His loud Cannon waits.
1667 J. Dryden Ann. Mirab. cclxxx He saw the Town's one half in rubbish lie And eager flames give [1688 (ed. 2) drive] on to storm the rest.
2. = contango v.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (transitive)] > carry over or pay to delay transfer
to carry over1745
contango1900
to give on1928
1928 Morning Post 19 Nov. He will approach a fellow-member in the House, and say that he wishes to give on 50 shares.
1928 Morning Post 19 Nov. The broker will, as a rule, endeavour to carry over, give on, or contango—the words all mean the same thing—the 50 Gramophone shares.
 to give out
1. transitive. To utter, publish; to announce, proclaim, report. to give (it) out: to profess, give it to be believed that. Also, to give (a person) out to be (so and so), and absol.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > publish or spread abroad [verb (transitive)]
sowc888
blowc1275
dispeple1297
to do abroadc1300
fame1303
publyc1350
defamea1382
publisha1382
open?1387
proclaima1393
slandera1400
spreada1400
abroachc1400
throwc1400
to give outa1425
promote?a1425
noisec1425
publicc1430
noisec1440
divulgea1464
to put outc1475
skail1487
to come out witha1500
bruit1525
bruita1529
to bear out1530
divulgate1530
promulgate1530
propale?1530
ventilate1530
provulgate1535
sparple1536
sparse1536
promulge1539
disperse1548
publicate1548
forthtell1549
hurly-burly?1550
propagate1554
to set abroada1555
utter1561
to set forth1567
blaze1570
evulgate1570
scatter1576
rear?1577
to carry about1585
pervulgate1586
celebrate?1596
propalate1598
vent1602
evulge1611
to give forth1611
impublic1628
ventilate1637
disseminate1643
expose1644
emit1650
to put about1664
to send abroad1681
to get abroad1688
to take out1697
advertise1710
forward1713
to set abouta1715
circulate1780
broadcast1829
vent1832
vulgate1851
debit1879
float1883
a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 29518 And þat cursyng vnlawful es..þe whilk es gifen out ouer tyte, With-owten ani right respite.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 106 And thenne by goddes grace I shal yeue out the sentence and Iugement.
1593 R. Bancroft Daungerous Positions i. vi. 20 They gaue it out..that some were licentious.
a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters (1636) 27 Hee gives himselfe out to bee Generall of the..knights of the Post.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. x. 8 Thou bloodier Villaine Then tearmes can giue thee out. View more context for this quotation
1688 Bp. G. Burnet Three Lett. State of Italy 23 His Followers were given out to be Hereticks.
1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 9 My Master gave out to my Mistress that he should be oblig'd to go..to look after some Goods.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. viii. 370 He gave out at Macao, that he was bound to Batavia.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. xxxvii. 374 Some gave themselves out as ‘poor scholars’.
1884 Manch. Examiner 7 June 4/7 It was given out that Germany and Austria had the same policy in Europe.
1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ Mrs. Bob II. xii. 177 Not quite so young as she gives out.
1892 Chambers's Jrnl. 7 May 303/2 The factory clock..gave out the hour of three.
2. To announce (a hymn) to be sung; to read out (the words) for the congregation to sing; †also (see quot. 1825).
ΚΠ
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 503. ⁋2 When the psalm was given out, her voice was distinguished above all the rest.
1825 J. F. Danneley Encycl. Music Give out the Psalm or Hymn Tune is to perform upon the organ the tune once over..for the purpose of enabling the congregation to join..in the singing of the psalms and hymns.
1887 S. Baring-Gould Gaverocks II. xxv. 51 The clerk in church..gave out the psalm.
3. To send forth, emit; to cause to be sent forth. †Also, to put forth, utter (prayers).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit
send971
stretchc1275
casta1300
sheda1325
manda1350
to throw outa1413
yielda1450
devoida1475
render1481
reflair1509
sup out1513
to give out1530
utter1536
spout1568
to give fortha1586
to let fly1590
to put out1614
eject1616
evacuate1622
ejaculate1625
emit1626
fling1637
outsend1647
exert1660
extramit1668
exclude1677
emane1708
extromita1711
evolve1772
emanate1797
discharge1833
exsert1835
to give off1840
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 321 O mary flowre of vyrgyns as rose or lyly, gyue oute prayers to thy sonne for the helthe of crysten people.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §388 In Orenges..the Nipping of their Rinde giueth out their Smell more.
1799 H. Davy in T. Beddoes Contrib. Physical & Med. Knowl. 153 Dr. Ingenhouz discovered that vegetables give out vital air, when exposed to the solar light in contact with water.
1861 Temple Bar 3 178 The gold gave out its red glow.
1884 Illustr. London News 20 Dec. 606/2 It [the explosive apparatus] fell..making a tremendous noise, giving out a huge flash of fire.
1890 Illustr. London News 26 Apr. 530/1 The carbonic-acid gas and other waste matters you give out with each breath.
4. To issue; to distribute.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)]
britteneOE
to-dealeOE
dealOE
britOE
setc1275
dispensec1374
dispendc1375
to-seta1387
dispone1429
disposec1430
sparple1435
demean1439
distributea1464
distribue1477
issuec1484
communy1530
to deal out1535
impart1545
disperse1555
retail1576
digest1578
deliver1626
to hand out1648
to dispose of1676
dispensate1701
dole1701
to give out1710
sling1860
to give away1889
to pass out1926
dish1934
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 189. ⁋3 Write down what you give out to your Landress, and what she brings Home again.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 173 The King gave out Arms to them.
1870 tr. E. Erckmann & P. A. Chatrian Waterloo Blockade Phalsburg in C. Gibbon Casquet of Lit. 160 At the end of twenty minutes the advance money was given out.
1887 S. Baring-Gould Gaverocks II. xxxiii. 183 Rose had the key of the storeroom, but forgot to give out supplies.
5. intransitive. Of persons: To desist (in later use, to desist through exhaustion of strength or patience). Of an implement, a limb, a machine, etc.: To break down, get out of order, fail. Of a supply: To run short, come to an end.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail or be unsuccessful [verb (intransitive)] > collapse or come to nothing
forworthc1000
folda1250
quailc1450
fruster?a1513
to come to nothing1523
to give out?1523
to fall to the ground?1526
quealc1530
to come to, end in, vanish into, smoke1604
intercide1637
to fall to dirt1670
to go off1740
to fall through1770
to fall apart1833
collapse1838
to run into the sand (also, now less commonly, sands)1872
to blow up1934
to blow out1939
the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > be insufficient [verb (intransitive)] > become scanty or scarce > run out
tirec725
failc1250
dispend1393
wanta1425
expirec1515
defect1587
to run out1685
to fall short1694
to spin out1720
to run short1850
to give out1861
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. iv Those plowes gyue out to sodaynly, and therfore they be the worse to drawe.
1629 H. Burton Babel No Bethel 7 [He] is willing rather to play small play, then to giue out.
1729 J. Swift Grand Quest. Madam, I always believ'd you so stout, That for twenty denials you would not give out.
1740 tr. C. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid (1741) II. 170 When a Man is agreeably engaged, he can't always give out at Pleasure: instead of one [glass], he drank several.
1815 Sporting Mag. 45 161 The first in a lark, but the last to give out.
1832 E. C. Wines Two Yrs. & Half in Navy II. 52 Our money..gave out.
1856 F. L. Olmsted Journey Slave States 25 A new leader took the place of the old man, when his breath gave out.
1861 W. H. Russell in Times 24 Sept. Tea, coffee, and clothing are nearly exhausted, or have, as the American phrase has it, ‘given out’.
1875 J. R. Lowell Wks. (1890) IV. 280 Even the laborious Selden, who wrote annotations on it [the ‘Polyolbion’]..gave out at the end of the eighteenth book.
1878 Scribner's Monthly 15 635/1 His strength gave out more than once.
1882 ‘E. Lyall’ Donovan xxiv His eyes have given out, so he won't go up this term.
1890 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Feb. 210 Our powder gave out.
1890 Sat. Rev. 9 Aug. 158/1 The Ruby's engines gave out for a time.
1893 Surrey Gloss. (at cited word) His leg gives out; he's troubled to get about.
1895 Daily News 9 Feb. 5/3 They are threatened with one great danger. Before spring their finances may give out.
 to give over
1. transitive. To leave off, finish, cease from (an action); to give up, abandon (an attempt, a habit, a mode of life). †Also with infinitive as object.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]
aswikec975
linOE
beleavec1175
forletc1175
i-swikec1175
restc1175
stutte?c1225
lina1300
blinc1314
to give overc1325
to do wayc1350
stintc1366
finisha1375
leavea1375
yleavec1380
to leave offa1382
refuse1389
ceasec1410
resigna1413
respite?a1439
relinquish1454
surcease1464
discontinue1474
unfill1486
supersede1499
desist1509
to have ado?1515
stop1525
to lay aside1530
stay1538
quata1614
to lay away1628
sist1635
quita1642
to throw up1645
to lay by1709
to come off1715
unbuckle1736
peter1753
to knock off1767
stash1794
estop1796
stow1806
cheese1811
to chuck itc1879
douse1887
nark1889
to stop off1891
stay1894
sling1902
can1906
to lay off1908
to pack in1934
to pack up1934
to turn in1938
to break down1941
to tie a can to (or on)1942
to jack in1948
to wrap it up1949
c1325 Poem times Edw. II (Percy Soc.) xlvii Pryde and covetise Gyveth over al jugement, And turneth lawes up and down.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 344v Certain persones..saiyng that Demades had now geuen ouer to bee suche an haine, as he had been in tyme past.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Bii Geue ouer all thy typpilling.
1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. v. i. 111 Giuing over in these daies to mainteine such pompous vanitie.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. N1 This man..ought not at any hand to giue ouer his calling, but to perseuere in the same to the end.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 23 Neither did the Turks thus oppressed, giue it ouer, but..fought it out with inuincible courage.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. ii. 190 We pray you for your owne sake to embrace your own safetie, and giue ouer this attempt. View more context for this quotation
1636 R. Basset tr. G. A. de Paoli Lives Rom. Emperors 161 Why then give over to be Emperour?
a1650 G. Boate Irelands Nat. Hist. (1652) xi. 98 Before we give over this discours of Lime, we shall adde [etc.].
1686 G. Burnet Lett. Present State Italy iv. 249 Before I give over writing concerning this place [etc.].
1688 Bp. G. Burnet Three Lett. State of Italy 38 It was time for people to give over going to Confession.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 62. ¶5 When he resolves to give over his Passion, he tells us that one burnt like him for ever dreads the Fire.
1720 D. Manley Power of Love i. 135 She rested in this Conceit, 'till the King gave over play.
1801 A. Ranken Hist. France I. 345 Their fleet being almost annihilated, they gave over their piracies.
1842 J. H. Newman Ess. Miracles (1843) 188 One thing then they did: they gave over the contest.
1889 M. Oliphant Poor Gentleman II. xii. 218 I know your little ways. You'll have to give them over when we're married.
1892 Black & White Jan. 54/2 It's time she gave over that sort of pride.
2. absol. or intransitive. To cease; desist, leave off. †Of a factory: To stop working.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)]
i-swikec893
swikec897
atwindc1000
linOE
studegieOE
stintc1175
letc1200
stuttea1225
leavec1225
astint1250
doc1300
finec1300
blina1325
cease1330
stable1377
resta1382
ho1390
to say or cry ho1390
resta1398
astartc1400
discontinuec1425
surcease1428
to let offc1450
resista1475
finish1490
to lay a straw?a1505
to give over1526
succease1551
to put (also pack) up one's pipes1556
end1557
to stay (one's own or another's) hand1560
stick1574
stay1576
to draw bridle1577
to draw rein1577
to set down one's rest1589
overgive1592
absist1614
subsista1639
beholdc1650
unbridle1653
to knock offa1657
acquiesce1659
to set (up) one's rest1663
sista1676
stop1689
to draw rein1725
subside1734
remit1765
to let up1787
to wind (up) one's pirna1835
to cry crack1888
to shut off1896
to pack in1906
to close down1921
to pack up1925
to sign off1929
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Giiiiv Let hym continue his labour, & neuer gyue ouer.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 7 He offended the Prophet for giuing over then.
1688 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. IV. 159 Last week a great Tin~work gave over, by which four hundred Tinners are out of Employ.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. vi. 418 The assembly grew so impatient, and made such a noise and hissing, that he was forced to give over.
1746 Exmoor Courtship 22 Ees..won't be zo mullad and soulad.—Stand azide; come, gi' o'er.
1789 C. Vallancey Vocab. Lang. Forth & Bargie in Trans. Royal Irish Acad. 1788 2 Antiquities 34 Y'oure, give over, cease.
1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 iv. 432 He gave over at the end of about six hours, and set to again the next morning.
1858 N. Hawthorne Fr. & Ital. Jrnls. I. 251 They ran hastily beside the carriage, but got nothing, and finally gave over.
†3. transitive. To abandon, desert (a person, cause, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > desert/renounce a cause, principle, or person
withsayc960
forsakec1175
renayc1300
waive1303
to waive from1303
allayc1330
to fall from ——c1350
relinquish1454
forlesec1460
to give over1477
missake1481
return1483
guerpe1484
abrenounce1537
to turn the back uponc1540
renege1548
forspeak1565
recant1567
reject1574
abnegate1616
abrenunciate1618
derelinque1623
ejurate1623
to give one the backa1624
derelinquisha1631
ejure1642
delinquish1645
desert1654
deviate1757
to give up1970
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 86 These knightes of Grece abandonne vs & gyue vs ouer.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xii. xiii. 66 And now forsuyth, thy will obey sall I, And giffis owr the caus perpetualy.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. ii. 111 The Cause, for which we fought and swore So boldly, shall we now give o'er?
4. To devote, resign, surrender, hand over:
a. with object a person, oneself. †Also in past participle, ‘left to oneself’, abandoned by God to one's own evil passions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another
i-taechec888
outreacheOE
sellc950
beteacha1000
areachc1000
turnc1175
handsellc1225
betakec1250
deliverc1300
beken1330
yielda1382
disposec1384
resigna1387
livera1400
to turn overa1425
deputea1440
overgive1444
quit?c1450
surrend1450
surrender1466
renderc1480
to give over1483
despose1485
refer1547
to pass over1560
to set over1585
behight1590
tip1610
consign1632
delegate1633
skink1637
to hand over1644
delate1651
to turn off1667
to turn in1822
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 192 a/2 The chylde marcyal..gafe hym self all ouer unto our lord Jhesu cryste.
1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Hours Recreat. (1576) 105 I feele yt sleepe will giue me ouer to his sister.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 153 Men giuen ouer to beleeue illusions.
c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 34 The power of the word..to rebuke and giue ouer to execration.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1633) ii. 113 O my Zelmane, gouerne and direct me: for I am wholly giuen ouer vnto thee.
1630 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. §1 Though I have a will of mine owne, yet, let me give my selfe over to be ruled, and ordered by thy Spirit.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre i. xvi. 23 Giving themselves over to pleasure.
1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions ii. viii. 189 Should I be so farre given over, as to have my hand in blood..I should [etc.].
1701 N. Grew Cosmol. Sacra iii. iii. §6 When the Babylonians..had given themselves over to all manner of Vice: it was time [etc.].
1859 W. M. Thackeray Virginians xxiv Colonel Lambert gave over the young Virginian to Mr. Wolfe's charge.
1869 C. M. Yonge Cameos xcv, in Monthly Packet July 17 They worked up their fury against the traitor Bishop who..wanted to give them over to the Pope.
1870 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Gleanings 2nd Ser. 59 Oxford is given over to heretical depravity.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems xi. 17 Live on yet, still given o'er to nameless Lords.
b. with object a thing.
ΚΠ
1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) clxxxv. 272 The turkes..were disconfyted and gaf ouer the toures.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 107 It was of him demaunded, whether he should be slaine, or be deposed, or should voluntarily geue ouer the crowne?
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. ii. iv. 344 Dioclesian..gaue over his Scepter & turned gardner.
1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxi. 201 Bearing with me the small package which Sir Jacob Clancing had given over to my keeping.
5. To pronounce incurable as far as concerns the speaker. Now rare. (Cf. to give up at Phrasal verbs 1.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > heal or cure [verb (transitive)] > pronounce incurable
to give over1530
to give up1589
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 565/2 I geve over, as physiciens gyve over a man that they wyll no more meddle with, or as we do thynges that we have forsaken, je habandonne.
1619 M. Drayton Idea lxi, in Poems 273 Now if thou would'st, when all haue giuen him ouer, From Death to Life, thou might'st him yet recouer.
a1642 J. Suckling Lett. Divers Eminent Personages 54 in Fragmenta Aurea (1646) Since it is lawful for every man to practise upon them that are forsaken and given over..I will adventure to prescribe to you.
c1696 M. Prior Remedy worse than Dis. I sent for Ratcliffe; was so ill, That other doctors gave me over.
1746 G. Berkeley Second Let. Tar-water §12 When patients are given over, and all known methods fail.
1820 Examiner No. 615 Garth being given over by an intimate medical friend.
1850 A. Jameson Legends Monastic Orders 176 The daughter of Champaigne, who had been ill of a fever, and given over by her physician.
6. To abandon the hope of seeing, finding, overtaking, etc. Also, to give over for (dead, lost): see for prep. 19b ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > specific something abstract
forgivec1175
repealc1390
remit1394
disgorgea1523
to lay down1611
degorge1622
ungive1645
to give over1674
1674 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. Northern Countries 66 They gave us over for lost.
1678 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 47 When the Doctors have given him over for dead.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xiii. 274 Having seen nothing of our boat, we gave her over as lost.
1797 S. T. Coleridge Lett. (1895) 15 I was now almost given over, the ponds, and even the river, near where I was lying, having been dragged.
a1816 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal (rev. ed.) v. ii, in Wks. (1821) II. 137 Sir Peter, you are come in good time, I promise you; for we had just given you over.
1830 H. Angelo Reminisc. (new ed.) I. 218 His friends..had given him over for lost.
†7. To give in, yield (to). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > be irresolute or vacillate [verb (intransitive)] > give way or give in
benda1400
sink?a1513
to give over1530
to cry creak?1562
yield1576
to hold up1596
succumb1604
to give in1616
to hoist, lower, strike the topsaila1629
to cry cravena1634
to give up or cross the cudgels1654
incumb1656
to fall in1667
to knock under1670
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
chuck up (the sponge)1864
to throw in one's hand1893
to sky the wipe (or towel)1907
to drop one's bundle1915
to throw (chuck, or toss) in the towel1915
to buckle up1927
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > offer no resistance [verb (intransitive)] > give in
descend?a1400
to give up the girdlea1400
submita1525
to give over1530
subscribe1560
yield1576
come1607
to give in1616
to give the stoop1623
buckle1642
incumb1656
to knock under board, under (the) table1692
capitulate1714
to strike underc1730
knuckle down1735
cave1844
to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860
incline1866
to give (it) best1878
give way1879
to roll over1919
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 565/1 I geve over, as a man dothe that is overcome, I yelde in a mate, je succumbe..and je me rens.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 57 He..was content to geue over to the kinges request.
8. intransitive. To give way, give oneself up. rare.
ΚΠ
1892 Harper's Mag. July 299 The big female gives over to despair.
 to give up
1. transitive. To resign, surrender; to hand over, part with. Const. with dative or to.
a. with object a thing. †Also elliptical, to yield (precedence) to.
ΚΠ
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1132 [He] sende efter him & dide him ȝyuen up ðe abbotrice of Burch.
a1400–50 Alexander 813 Than þai gave hym vp þe ȝerd & yolden þe realme.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lix. 203 Whan Iuoryn & Galaffer saw that the towne was gyuen vp by the frenchemen they enteryd in to it.
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. i. sig. A4v But still expect and gape with hungrie lip When hee'le giue vp his gowtie stewardship.
1710 Tatler No. 258. ⁋4 I am resolved to give up my Farm, sell my Stock and remove.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. iv. xviii. 247 This is in Fact to give up the Point in dispute.
1783 Ann. Reg. 1781 Hist. Europe 25/1 The fort was given up, and the garrison surrendered.
1800 tr. E. J. B. Bouillon-Lagrange Man. Course Chem. I. 214 When the nitrous gas is all decomposed, it gives up its oxygen to the pyrophorus, and burns it.
1823 Mirror 1 68/1 At table all gave up to Tom For handling knife or fork.
1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. i. iv. 36 She could not give up the canaries.
1886 Law Times Rep. 53 708/1 Dr. Cox has..retired from his incumbency and given up his benefice.
1890 Graphic Summer No. 24/3 The moat after nine days had given up its dead.
b. with object a person: To deliver (a fugitive, oneself) into the hands of an officer of justice, an enemy, etc.; to abandon (oneself) to a feeling, an influence. Also reflexive to yield (to evidence, etc.).
ΚΠ
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) i. f. 28 They geuing themselues vp to vanitie.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iv. vi. 32 All my mother came into my eyes, And gaue me vp to teares.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 108. ¶7 His Parents gave him up at length to his own Inventions.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 110. ⁋6 Could not I give myself up to this general Testimony of Mankind, I should to the Relations of particular Persons who are now living.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 198 They gave themselves up, and..abandon'd themselves to..Despair.
1803 Pic Nic No. 13. 3 They gave themselves up to credulity.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond II. i. 5 He went..to give himself up at the prison.
1872 C. E. Maurice Life S. Langton ii. 121 He gave himself up unhesitatingly to the guidance of Innocent.
2. To forsake, abandon, relinquish, desist from, relinquish the prospect of; to cease to have to do with (a person); to sacrifice, ‘lay down’ (one's life). †Also elliptical, to give up (friendship) with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)]
forsakec893
forlet971
to reach upOE
agiveOE
yield?c1225
uptake1297
up-yield1297
yield1297
deliverc1300
to-yielda1375
overgivec1384
grant1390
forbeara1400
livera1400
forgoc1400
upgive1415
permit1429
quit1429
renderc1436
relinquish1479
abandonc1485
to hold up?1499
enlibertyc1500
surrender1509
cess1523
relent1528
to cast up?1529
resignate1531
uprender1551
demit1563
disclaim1567
to fling up1587
to give up1589
quittance1592
vail1593
enfeoff1598
revoke1599
to give off1613
disownc1620
succumb1632
abdicate1633
delinquish1645
discount1648
to pass away1650
to turn off1667
choke1747
to jack up1870
chuck up (the sponge)1878
chuckc1879
unget1893
sling1902
to jack in1948
punt1966
to-leave-
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > abandon or relinquish (an activity or occupation)
remit1587
to give up1589
quit1607
to give off1613
to get out of ——1632
ding1852
to jack up1880
jack1902
to throw in1951
toss in1956
the world > action or operation > completing > non-completion > do incompletely [verb (transitive)] > abandon an attempt or enterprise
waivec1386
abandona1393
abandonate?1561
to give up1589
1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 129 Hauing taken out the artillerie, goods, victuals, and gold..We gaue her vp, 25. degrees by North the line.
1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 122 Such an Expectation..will never come to pass: Therefore I'll e'en give it up, and go and fret my self.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 478. ⁋2 Providence in this case makes use of the folly which we will not give up.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 298 He indeed pressed me to give up with Sir Robert Murray.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson (ed. 2) iii. viii. 503 They gave up [1748 (ed. 1) yielded up] the contest.
1780 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal ii. iii. 24 But you say he has entirely given up Charles—never sees him, eh.
1795 Ann. Reg., Hist. 144 They gave up all ideas of resistance.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iv. 433 The medical attendants had given up all hope.
1851 H. Martineau Introd. Hist. Peace II. v. xiv. 412 Many who leaned to the Chartists before..gave them up altogether on the appearance of this symptom of the agitation.
1862 Temple Bar 4 553 Match-making mammas gave him up as a bad job.
1870 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Gleanings 2nd Ser. 48 Men were ready to give up their lives rather than surrender their books.
1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. xliii. 435 It is very difficult to give up what we have believed from our childhood.
1885 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 29 476 The first ground of complaint put forth in the pleadings..has been virtually given up.
1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxii. 359 It was so hopeless to clean them that I gave it up in despair.
1894 Law Times 97 388/1 He was asked..whether he would not now be compelled to give up Sunday School work.
3. intransitive. To leave off; to cease from effort, leave off trying; to stop. Also, to succumb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > non-completion > abandon an attempt or enterprise [verb (intransitive)]
unbenda1400
unbinda1400
to leave (a person) the field?c1450
to give upa1616
to call (it) quits1851
to pull the pin1860
to hang up one's fiddle1889
to pack in1906
to pack up1925
to cop out1942
to give it away1949
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose [verb (intransitive)] > give up or discontinue
discontinuec1425
to give upa1616
to put out of one's head1784
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. ii. 46 She hath bin reading late, The Tale of Tereus, heere the leaffe's turn'd downe Where Philomele gaue vp. View more context for this quotation
1714 J. Swift Some Free Thoughts upon Present State Affairs (1741) 13 They have been..very near giving up in Despair.
1827 D. Johnson Sketches Indian Field Sports (ed. 2) 195 I had killed about a hundred, when I thought it high time to give up, as evening was near approaching.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xix. 17 My mother gave up in despair.
1862 Temple Bar 5 46 Another camel gave up, and could proceed no further.
1890 Sat. Rev. 31 May 657/2 Unless England is so weak that she has simply to give up.
1892 Longman's Mag. Jan. 264 He..was engaged as accountant and collector, but lost his place because the firm gave up.
4. transitive. To devote entirely to; to abandon, addict to. Chiefly with reflexive pronoun as object.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > engage in or busy oneself about > devote oneself to or take time for
takea1350
to give (also put, set, turn) one's mind toc1450
to give upa1616
to give into ——1692
invest1837
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use for specific purpose
bestowc1315
lay1340
putc1390
apply1395
usea1398
applicate?a1425
deputec1425
explay1552
employ1553
consecrate1555
implya1625
sacrate1653
consign1700
devote1703
to give up1885
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. iii. 309 He has deuoted and giuen vp himselfe to the contemplation..of her parts and graces. View more context for this quotation
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living iv. §1 Faith 229 To give ourselves wholly up to Christ in heart and desire.
1673 E. Stillingfleet Answer Disc. Idolatry If any be given up to believe lyes, some must be first given up to tell them.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 79. ⁋9 I know a Lady so given up to this sort of Devotion, that..she never misses one constant Hour of Prayer.
1725 I. Watts Logick i. v. 122 Give yourself up to some Hours of Leisure.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales I. 36 The landlady gives herself wholly up to the promotion of his comfort.
1870 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Gleanings 2nd Ser. 149 These men gave themselves up to..debauchery.
1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xviii. 213 Before Buddhism came to them, they were in ignorance and darkness, given up to deeds of superstition and cruelty.
1885 E. Lynn Linton Autobiogr. Christopher Kirkland II. i. 16 Her salon was given up to table-turning.
1886 A. Sergeant No Saint I. xiv. 267 He gave himself up to his new faith heart and soul.
1890 Temple Bar Aug. 574 The forenoons..were given up to business.
1892 Black & White Christm. No. 20/2 The whole ground floor was given up to the saloon.
†5. To deliver, render, give in (an account, etc.): to present (a petition, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > reporting > report [verb (transitive)] > give (a report)
to give up1559
1414 in Rot. Parl. IV. 22 Or the Petitions biforesaid yeven up yn writyng.
1559 Abp. E. Sandys Let. 30 Apr. in Abp. M. Parker Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 66 We are forced..to give up a confession of our own faith.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 35v So shal you..geue vp a good accompt of your stewardship.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. iv. 179 What lawfull quest haue giuen their verdict vp Vnto the frowning Iudge. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xxiv. 9 And Joab gaue vp the summe of the number of the people vnto the king. View more context for this quotation
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 466 They..give up these Supplications, written in the leaves of a tree.
1647 H. Hammond Of Power of Keyes iv. 85 [They] have..defamed that Christian Profession, to which they had given up their names.
1673 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 72 A resolution never to give up my consent to any thing that in my conscience I know to be notoriously inconvenient.
1701 J. Swift Disc. Contests Nobles & Commons ii. 19 His Accounts were confused, and he could not give them up.
1705 F. Atterbury Serm. St. James's Chapel 16 'Tis not hard to imagin how he may be brought to give up the clearest Evidence.
6. To emit, breathe forth; to utter (a cry). Obsolete except in phr. to give up the ghost: see ghost n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > [verb (transitive)] > utter
leadOE
givec1175
tell?c1225
talkc1275
to set upa1325
to put outc1350
soundc1374
to give upc1386
pronouncea1393
cough1393
moutha1400
profera1400
forth withc1400
utterc1400
to put forth1535
display1580
vent1602
accent1603
respeak1604
vocalize1669
fetch1707
go1836
outen1951
c1386 G. Chaucer Merch. T. 1120 Vp he yaf a roryng and a cry As dooth the mooderwhan the child shal dye.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1569 It gan al the temple for to lighte A swete smel anoon the ground vp yaf.
1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes f. 231v/2 Oftentymes they haue lost their sences, and are readye to geue vp the spirite.
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida iii. sig. E4v His credit hath giuen vp the last gaspe.
1606 J. Marston Wonder of Women iv. i, in Wks. (1856) I. 198 Now even heaven Gives up his soule amongst us.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 95 And they shew the place where the Saint gave up his last breath.
7. To divulge, reveal. †Also, to disclose the name of.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)] > secrets
discovera1375
labc1400
bewray1578
blab1582
discabinet1605
eviscerate1607
eliminate1608
to give upa1640
vent1678
betray1734
confide1735
leak1859
to shell out1862
clatfart1913
spill1917
unzip1939
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Queene of Corinth i. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Aaaaaa2v/2 Ile not stale them By giving up their characters.
1757 S. Foote Author i. 10 I never gave up but one Author in my Life, and he was dying of a Consumption, so it never came to a Tryal.
1890 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. May 628 We do not give up the names of our contributors.
8. (a) To pronounce (a person) incurable, (a puzzle) insoluble as far as concerns the speaker. (Cf. to give over at Phrasal verbs 1) (b) To renounce the hope of seeing. (c) to give up for (lost), etc.: see for prep. 19b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > heal or cure [verb (transitive)] > pronounce incurable
to give over1530
to give up1589
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 233 The Phisitions had all giuen him vp.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge viii. 277 It's so late, we gave you up.
1844 J. T. J. Hewlett Parsons & Widows III. i. 226 Conundrums..invented and answered, or ‘given up’.
1861 Temple Bar 1 564 ‘When's a man not a man?’..‘Give it up.’
1883 M. E. Mann Parish of Hilby iv. 49 I wonder you troubled to come at all; we gave you up long ago.
1884 Brit. Q. Rev. Apr. 458 He suffered from hip-disease, and was, in fact, given up by Sir B. Brodie.
1890 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Mar. 385 He..had given himself up for lost.
1890 Cornhill Mag. May 469 [Their] breadwinner is at sea, ‘given up’ at Lloyd's.
9. With on: to lose one's belief or trust in (something); to forsake or abandon. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > desert/renounce a cause, principle, or person
withsayc960
forsakec1175
renayc1300
waive1303
to waive from1303
allayc1330
to fall from ——c1350
relinquish1454
forlesec1460
to give over1477
missake1481
return1483
guerpe1484
abrenounce1537
to turn the back uponc1540
renege1548
forspeak1565
recant1567
reject1574
abnegate1616
abrenunciate1618
derelinque1623
ejurate1623
to give one the backa1624
derelinquisha1631
ejure1642
delinquish1645
desert1654
deviate1757
to give up1970
1970 New Yorker 21 Nov. 48/3 When I was nineteen, I gave up on the Church.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 11 Dec. 16/2 He had lost his faith, switched jobs, given up on his country's leaders. To boot, his marriage was in trouble.
1984 A. West H. G. Wells iv. 80 They were alive, but they had given up on themselves and on the possibility of a future.
1986 Times Lit. Suppl. 24 Jan. 76/4 It is as if he has given up on America and in so doing he has given up on grappling with the complexity of his position and allegiances.
PV2. Used intransitively with prepositions in specialized senses. (See also senses 14d, 43.) to give against ——
† To impinge against; to attack, assault, run counter to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (transitive)] > specifically of things
warc1230
repugnc1450
oppugn1584
militate1642
to give against ——1646
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > contend with
acounterc1330
bargainc1375
battlec1399
rencontre1455
field1529
pallc1540
cope with1582
combata1592
to grapple witha1616
to give against ——1646
fight1697
contest1764
1646 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. F. Biondi Hist. Civil Warres Eng. II. viii. 152 They gave against the Standard, slew Sir William Brandon, the Standard-bearer.
1650 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault Man become Guilty 20 Christian Religion may truly boast, that all her Maxims are Paradoxes, which agreeing with truth, give against humane reason.
1650 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault Man become Guilty 356 He gives against Gods Providence..who obeys those creatures which are inferiour to him.
1650 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault Man become Guilty 374 It was very just..that they which fill our Sailes should make our designes give against the rocks.
 to give into ——
† [After French donner dans.] To enter into, give adhesion to, fall in with (an idea, project, etc.); to engage deeply in (a business); to fall into (an error, a snare). Now superseded by give in to (see to give in 2 at Phrasal verbs 1). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > be absorbed in [verb (intransitive)]
buryc1380
porec1387
sinka1400
withgoa1400
founce1430
resta1500
intend?1504
to busy one's brains?1532
lose1604
immerse1667
to give into ——1692
to make a study of1884
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > engage in or busy oneself about > devote oneself to or take time for
takea1350
to give (also put, set, turn) one's mind toc1450
to give upa1616
to give into ——1692
invest1837
1692 J. Locke Toleration iii. ii. 69 I began presently to give into your method.
1702 N. Rowe Tamerlane Ded. At so Critical a Juncture as this is..your Lordship ought to give intirely into those Public Affairs which at this time seem to Demand you.
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 96 The Venetians, who are naturally Grave, love to give into the Follies and Entertainments of such Seasons.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vi. xv. 56 Some things are so manifestly absurd, that no authority shall make me give into them.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. ix. 40 So that the poor Girl, divided between her Inclination for him, and her Duty to her designing Mother, gave into the Plot upon him.
1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxv. 94 They gave into the snare prepared for them.
a1797 H. Walpole Mem. George II I. 57 Mr. Pitt gave strongly into a Parliamentary Inquiry.
1825 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Wks. (1859) I. 6 Marshall has given into this error.
1839 J. R. McCulloch Statist. Acct. Brit. Empire (ed. 2) II. iii. v. 30 The country bankers gave into the infatuation.

Draft additions April 2002

transitive. British slang. to give (someone) one: (a) to kiss (someone) (rare—1); (b) to have sexual intercourse with (someone); esp. used depreciatively among men when discussing a (past or prospective) sexual partner.Although quot. c1882 probably refers to a kiss rather than more intimate contact, the mention of St James's Park (which at the time had a reputation for being frequented by prostitutes) may glancingly suggest the later sexual sense.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > kiss > [verb (transitive)]
kissc900
reachOE
bassc1500
to lay on the lips1530
bussa1566
swap1577
smouch1588
lip1605
bause1607
suaviate1650
to pree a person's mouth1724
accolade1843
to give (someone) onec1882
to give (a person) some sugar1921
steups1967
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with
mingeOE
haveOE
knowc1175
ofliec1275
to lie with (or by)a1300
knowledgec1300
meetc1330
beliea1350
yknowc1350
touchc1384
deala1387
dightc1386
usea1387
takec1390
commona1400
to meet witha1400
servea1400
occupy?a1475
engender1483
jangle1488
to be busy with1525
to come in1530
visitc1540
niggle1567
mow1568
to mix one's thigh with1593
do1594
grind1598
pepper1600
yark1600
tumble1603
to taste of1607
compressc1611
jumble1611
mix?1614
consort?1615
tastea1616
bumfiddle1630
ingressa1631
sheet1637
carnal1643
night-work1654
bump1669
bumble1680
frig?c1680
fuck1707
stick1707
screw1719
soil1722
to do over1730
shag1770
hump1785
subagitatec1830
diddle1879
to give (someone) onec1882
charver1889
fuckeec1890
plugc1890
dick1892
to make a baby1911
to know (a person) in the biblical sense1912
jazz1920
rock1922
yentz1924
roll1926
to make love1927
shtupa1934
to give (or get) a tumble1934
shack1935
bang1937
to have it off1937
rump1937
tom1949
to hop into bed (with)1951
ball1955
to make it1957
plank1958
score1960
naughty1961
pull1965
pleasurea1967
to have away1968
to have off1968
dork1970
shaft1970
bonk1975
knob1984
boink1985
fand-
a1625 J. Fletcher Womans Prize ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Nnnnn4/2 I reckon for the best still: this night then I shall enjoy her... Old as I am, i'le give her one blow for't Shall make her groane this twelve-moneth.]
c1882 W. S. Gilbert Iolanthe i. 16 I heard the minx remark, She'd meet him after dark, Inside St. James's Park, And give him one!
1909 J. R. Ware Passing Eng. Victorian Era 142/2 Giving one, the one here mentioned may be a kiss or a blow.
1973 T. Lewis Billy Rags i. 20 ‘I'm off on my holidays.’ ‘Somewhere good?’ ‘Reece's booked me for the Riviera.’ ‘Give Brigitte one for me,’ called Freddie.
1984 K. Waterhouse Thinks ix. 75 ‘It's nothing to do with Margot, is it?’ ‘What, about you giving her one do you mean?’
1995 A. Enright Wig my Father Wore 47 ‘Anyway,’ says Frank, ‘she can't be a virgin. Not after Marcus gave her one that Friday night.’
1999 R. T. Davies Queer as Folk: Scripts Episode 2. 40 Donna: You seeing him again? Nathan: Oh yeah. (Pause. Then Donna's howling with laughter.) Donna: Nathan, that's just brilliant! Nathan: (Gleeful, savage, his new catchphrase.) I'd give him one!

Draft additions March 2004

to give a hundred (also hundred and ten, etc.) per cent and variants: to commit oneself totally to something; to try one's hardest, do one's utmost; to make an extra effort. Cf. hundred n. and adj. 2c.
ΚΠ
1943 J. K. Folsom Family & Democratic Society xiii. 455 The only way to make a happy marriage is not to demand a fifty-fifty basis but for each partner to be willing to give a hundred per cent!
1969 New Yorker 14 June 72/3 Go out there and and work your tail off. Don't wake up tomorrow morning regretting that you didn't give a hundred per cent.
1983 J. Hennessy Torvill & Dean 72 There was no question of negative thinking and we had no intention of giving less than 101 per cent on the night.
1992 Independent 21 Sept. 7/2 We need to buy paper and films and if you are constantly strapped for cash it is very difficult to give the course that 110 per cent.
2001 Sun 27 Jan. 80/5 I want to thank the fans for their support since I came to West Ham and for them to know that every time I pull on a Hammers shirt I try to give 200 per cent.

Draft additions April 2002

transitive. colloquial (originally U.S.). to give it up: (of an audience, etc.) to applaud; to show appreciation for an entertainer, etc. Usually in imperative, esp. as an exhortation by a compère. Cf. to give (also get, etc.) a big (also good, etc.) hand at hand n. 20.
ΚΠ
1990 Re: ShrinkIt 3.0 in comp.sys.apple2 (Usenet newsgroup) 30 Mar. Hey folks, let's give it up for Andy! One huge round of applause please!
1993 People (Nexis) 24 May 24 Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together—give it up!—for three combative comedy releases.
1997 Arizona Republic (Electronic ed.) 19 Nov. Give it up for the East Siiiii-deee.
1999 Evening Standard (Electronic ed.) 25 Mar. London studio stalwart Tony Remy goes live, complete with a ‘Let's give it up for Tony’ rallying call.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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