give

▪ I. † give, n.¹ Obs.
    Forms: α. 1 ᵹi(e)fu, ᵹyfu, ᵹeofu, 2 ȝife, ȝieve, 2–3 ȝive, ȝe(o)ve, ȝefe, 4 yeve. β. 3 gife, give, gyve.
    [Com. Teut.: OE. ᵹiefu str. fem. = OFris. geve, jeve, OS. geƀa, giƀa (MDu. geve), OHG. geba, gepa, kepa (MHG. gebe), ON. gjǫf, Goth. giba:—OTeut. *geƀâ, f. *geƀ- to give.
    The β-forms, with initial g for ȝ, are northern and prob. due to the influence of the verb, q.v.]
    1. Something given; = gift n. 3.
    The combination ȝeres-ȝive, New Year's gift (see year¹) occurs later, e.g. in 1377 text of P. Plowman B. x. 47. With the OE. tó ᵹiefe, as a gift, cf. Du. te geef, as a gift, gratis (now only in the sense ‘dirt cheap’).

α Beowulf 1884 Þa wæs on gange ᵹifu Hroðgares oft ᵹe-æhted. c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xli. §2 Þam he ᵹeaf micle ᵹife freodomes. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. x. 8 Ge onfengun to ᵹyfe, syllað to ᵹyfe [L. gratis]. a 1200 Moral Ode 45 Þer ne þerf he habben kare of ȝefe ne of ȝelde. c 1205 Lay. 1790 Þa hefde Brutus þa ȝeue þat Diana hi bi-heihte. Ibid. 20494 Heo sculden habbeon ȝiuen gode. c 1300, c 1330 [see give v. B 8].

β c 1300 Havelok 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. 6.

α 971 Blickl. Hom. 31 Ealra þara ᵹifa þe he middan⁓ᵹearde forᵹeaf þurh his tocyme, nis næniᵹ mare mæᵹen..þonne [etc.]. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Luke ii. 40 Þæt cild weox..& godes ᵹyfu wæs on him. c 1200 Vices & Virtues 53 Full of godes ȝiues. c 1200 Ormin 5482 Þe firrste ȝife iss witt & skill Inn heofennlike þingess. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 107 Swiche ȝiues [MS. giues] and none iuele sendeð lemene fader mankin. c 1230 Hali Meid. 11 Meidenhad is tat an ȝeoue iȝettet te of heouene.

β a 1300 Cursor M. 23370 Þe sele þat sal leng in heuen, In bodi sal haf gifes seuen.

    2. The action of giving; = gift n. 1.

c 1205 Lay. 401 He heold þe stronge castles þurh staðele his fader ȝefe. 1340 Ayenb. 23 Lozengerie, simulacion, folliche yeue: uor þet me ssel him hyealde corteys and large.

    3. Comb., as ȝeve-custi [OE. cystiᵹ bountiful], bountiful in gifts.

c 1205 Lay. 4862 Nes he noht ȝælpinde ah he wes ȝeue- [so MS.; printed geue-] custi.

▪ II. give, n.²
    (gɪv)
    [f. give v.]
    The action, fact, or quality of ‘giving’ (cf. sense 40 of the vb.); a yielding, giving way.

1868 G. M. Hopkins Jrnl. 15 Sept. (1959) 189 They look like the swaling or give of water in a river when you look across it. 1887 Cassell's Fam. Mag. Summer No. 62 The dead pull (so different to the spring and give of the rod). 1893 Pall Mall G. 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, B.C.) 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.

▪ III. give, v.
    (gɪv)
    Forms and Inflexions: see below.
    [A Common Teutonic str. vb.: OE. ᵹiefan (ᵹeaf, ᵹéafon, ᵹiefen) = OFris. geva, jeva, OS. geƀan (MDu. and Du. geven), OHG. kepan, geban (MHG. and G. geben), ON. gefa (Sw. gifva, Da. give), Goth. giban:—OTeut. *geƀan, gaf, gæ̂ƀum, geƀono-. By some the root is identified with that of Lith. gabénti to bring, OIrish gabim I take.
    In OE. the strictly West Saxon forms of the infinitive and the pa. pple. show the influence of initial ᵹ in the substitution of ie (commonly i, y) for the original e of the root; thus ᵹiefan, ᵹifan, ᵹyfan for ᵹefan. 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, perh. owing to the analogy of the 2nd and 3rd pers. sing. pres. ind.; 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 ME. there are three main forms: ȝiven, ȝeven and ȝeoven. The third of these is rare, and disappears c 1200. 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, c 1200), though the forms with ȝ are much more frequent. (Apparent earlier instances with initial g- occur only in MSS. which confuse g and ȝ.) The g forms, however, certainly originated in the north (though the want of 12th c. 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 Sw. gifva, Da. give, than to ON. gefa. On the other hand, the pa. pple. 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 c. 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 c. the northern forms extended themselves gradually to the midland dialects. Havelok (c 1300) has, like the Ormulum, both the ȝ and the g forms; R. Brunne's Handlyng Synne (1303) has only the former, but his Chronicle (c 1330), according to the two existing MSS., 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 c. the palatal forms predominate in midland (including East Anglian) as well as in southern writers. The MSS. 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 c. the pa. pple. was sometimes conformed to the analogy of the e, a, o vbs. with -l, -r roots (cf. get); this took place with both the midland and northern forms, but ȝoven is found more frequently than goven.]
    A. Inflexional Forms.
    1. inf. a. simple inf. give (gɪv). Forms: α1 ᵹeo-, ᵹiofan, ᵹiaban, Northumb. ᵹeafa, 2 ȝevan, 3 ȝeoven, ȝefve(n, 3–4 ȝeve(n, 4 ȝef, 4–6 yeve, 5 yeff(e, yew. β1 ᵹi(e)fan, ᵹyfan, 2 ȝyven, ȝiefe, 2–4 ȝyfen, ȝifen, 3 ȝifve(n, Orm. ȝifenn, 3–4 ȝi(e)ve(n, ȝyve, 4 ȝif, if, 5 ȝiffe, yiffe, yive. γ3 Orm. gifenn, 4–5 gyf(f(e, gif(f)e, 4–7 gif(f, 4–6 gyve, gyf(e(n, 4–7 geve, (5 gywe, 6 geive, ge', Sc. gewe, 7 Sc. giwe), 8–9 dial. gie, gi', 4– give. (Also 6 y-geve, Sc. gevin.)

α Beowulf (Z.) 2973 Ne meahte se snella sunu Wonredes ealdum ceorle hondslyht ᵹiofan. [c 831 Charter 39 in O.E. Texts 445 Hwet man..aᵹiaban scel. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxvii. 58 Pylatus..ᵹeheht aᵹeafa lichoma.] c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 13 Ic eou wille ȝeuan wela. c 1205 Lay. 4779 He him wolde ȝeuen al þat gold. c 1230 Hali Meid. 19 Schulle..ȝeouen ham stude & nome betere þen sunen & dohtren. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 7 He may ȝef non indulgence noiþer to man in purgatori, neiþer to hem þat are prescit. c 1440 Gesta Rom. xxxi. 113 (Harl. MS.) Eny man, that my fadir wolle ȝeve me to. 1477 Paston Lett. No. 808 III. 214 He wold yeffe you his labore, be so ye payd for his costes.

β a 1000 Cædmon's Gen. 671 (Gr.) Hwa meahte me swelc ᵹewit ᵹifan. 1154 O.E. Chron. an. 1137 Þe uurecce men ne hadde nan more to ᵹyuen. a 1175 Cott. Hom. 231 Me hine sceolde..ȝiefe him his formemete. a 1200 Moral Ode 64 in Trin. Coll. Hom., Þar me sal..ȝieuen us ure werkes lean after ure erninge. c 1200 Ormin 10476 Forr þatt he wollde ȝifenn uss To brukenn eche blisse. c 1340 Cursor M. 23218 (Trin.) Peynted fire..ȝyue liȝt neuer hit may. c 1350 Will. Palerne 2963 Þi douȝti sone schal þi dere douȝter ȝiuen Þe kinges sone of spayne. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 79 And if þe sentens to sle þe innocent. 14.. MS. Fairfax 16 (Halliw.) To..yiffe hem audience. c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode ii. cxliii. (1869) 132 With his yrened foot he shulde yiue me in þe visage. 1485–6 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 49 All maner patayns, ȝeftys, offyȝs, that he dyd ȝiffe.

γ c 1200 Ormin Ded. 248 Þurrh þatt he shall o Domess daȝȝ Uss gifenn heffness blisse. a 1300 Cursor M. 145 (Cott.) How god bigan þe law hym gyfe. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2281 He þoughte his doughtres gyue hose⁓bandes. c 1340 Cursor M. 13714 (Fairf.) Þou sal hir gif iuggement. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Peter 133, I sall gyf gud leif hym till. c 1400 Destr. Troy 11469 What godes þai wold gyffe to the gret harmes. c 1400 Sowdone Bab. 1760 Gode counsaile we shal you gyfen. 1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Gife, donare. Ibid., To Giffe to kepe, commendare. 1513 Douglas æneis v. vi. 39, I sall ȝow gevin ilk man..twa schort speris. 1521 Fisher Wks. (1876) 313 Euery true christen man sholde gyf assured fayth. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon xliv. 147, I shall gyue the my syster in maryage. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 56 Tua thousand merkis..He had with him king Richart for to gewe. 1566 Drant Horace's Sat. i. F, Some one or other wyll to thee thy fatall wounde ygeve. 1575 Gamm. Gurton iii. iii. C iij b, Where is the strong stued hore, chil ge'ar a hores marke. 1609 Bible (Douay) Zeph. iii. 5 In the morning he wil geve his judgment into light. 1825 J. Neal Bro. Jonathan I. 369 He was a-goin' to gi' me the lie. 1863 Robson Bards of Tyne 294 Aw'll gie them a' the sack.

    b. dat. inf. (with to) to give (tʊ gɪv); in OE. tó ᵹe(a)fanne, ᵹifenne, ᵹyfene, ME. to ȝifene, ȝivende, yevene.

c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt., Contents 16/15 To brenganne uel to ᵹeafanne. 1154 O.E. Chron. an. 1109 Ðær wurdon..þa aðas ᵹesworene his dohter þam Casere to ᵹifene. c 1160 Hatton Gosp. Matt. xiv. 7 Ða be-het he mid aþe, hire to ȝyfene swa hwæt swa hyo hine bæde. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 119 Fir haueð on him þre mihtes, on to ȝiuende hete, oðer to ȝiuende liht [etc.]. 1340 Ayenb. 114 Oure guode fader þet is zuete and milde uor to yeuene.

    2. ind. pres. a. 1st pers. sing. give. Forms: α1 -ᵹefo, -ᵹeofu, 3 ȝefve, ȝeove, 3–5 ȝeve. β1 ᵹife, ᵹiefe, 2–3 ȝife, 3– 5 ȝive, 4–5 yive, ȝif. γ3–6 gif, 6 gyve, geve, 4– give.

α [c 825 Vesp. Psalter xxi. 26 Gehat min dryhtne ic aᵹeofu. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xviii. 21 Ic forᵹefo him wið sefo siða.] a 1225 Juliana 19 Nawiht ne ȝeoue ich for inc nowðer. c 1275 Lay. 9513 Mine dohter ich him ȝefue Genuis to sehte and to sibbe. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xv. 89 Ich ȝeue [B. xii. 146 ȝif] þe fyue shyllinges.

β a 900 Cynewulf Christ 478 in Exeter Bk., Ic..eow meaht ᵹiefe. a 1000 Cædmon's Gen. 679 (Gr.) Gife ic hit ðe ᵹeorne. c 1205 Lay. 29243 Ich ȝiue þe ane eorldom. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 283 Þe þridde del mi kinedom ich ᵹiue þe to be mi fere. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. Prol. 31 To hem yive I feyth.

γ a 1300 Cursor M. 1930 (Gött.) Til ȝou..Min brod benisun i giue [Fairf. geue]. Ibid. 15252 (Cott.) Þe gift þat I yow here gif nu. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Peter 16 To þe I gyff þe keys of hewyne. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems xxxi. 134, I gif him to the Devill of hell. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) H v b, I gyue me to all men. 1535 Coverdale Gen. xxiii. 11 As for the felde..I geue [1611 giue] it the.

    b. 2nd pers. sing. givest (ˈgɪvɪst). Forms: α1 Northumb. -ᵹefes, 3 ȝevest, 4 yefst, 4–5 yevest, ȝees, 5 yeves. β1 ᵹifest, ᵹifst, 2–3 ȝifst, 3 ȝivest, 4 ȝyvest. γ4 gifes, gives, gyffis, gis, 4–5 ges, 6 gevest, 7– givest.

α [c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke ii. 29 Nu forletes uel forᵹefes esne ðin.] a 1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 185 Þu þet ȝeuest hire liht. 1340 Ayenb. 93 Þine zuetnesse þet þou..yefst to þine uryendes. c 1420 Anturs of Arth. xiv, Those at thou ȝees [Douce MS. Of that þou yeues] at thi ȝate.

β c 1000 Ags. Ps. lxxix. 5 Þu..us drincan ᵹifest. c 1000 ælfric Gen. xv. 2 Hwæt ᵹifst þu me? c 1200 Vices & Virtues (1888) 77 Ȝif ðu ȝifst ðo manne ðe gaf [sic: ? read ȝaf] ðe. c 1340 Cursor M. 971 (Trin.) Lord he seide þou ȝyuest al. 1382 Wyclif Deut. xv. 13 Whom with freedam thow ȝyuest.

γ a 1300 Cursor M. 971 (Gött.) ‘Lauerd’, he said, ‘þu gifes [Fairf. ges] all’. Ibid. 16106 (Cott.) Quin giues þou þaim answar? c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Magdalena 315 Þu..nocht gyffis þame of þi gud. c 1400 Destr. Troy 2089 Thow ges matir to men mony day after, fforto speke of þi spede. 1535 Coverdale Ps. cxliv. [cxlv.] 15 Thou geuest [1611 giuest] them their meate in due season.

    c. 3rd pers. sing. gives (gɪvz), arch. giveth (gɪvɪθ). Forms: α1 -ᵹefes, 2–3 ȝeveð, ȝefeð, 4–5 ȝefþ(e, ȝev-, yeveth, -ys, -yth, -yþ. β1 ᵹiefeþ, ᵹifeþ, ᵹifþ, 3 ȝiefð, Orm. ȝifeþþ, 3–4 ȝif(þ, ȝiveþ, 4 ȝyveth. γ3 Orm. gifeþþ, 4 geves, gif(e)s, -ith, giffis, gis(e, givis, -ys, gyves, 5 gyfez, 6 geves, ghewys, gyvs, 5–6 gev-, gyveth, -yth, 9 Sc. and dial. gies, 5– giveth, 4– gives.

α [c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. vi. 15 Ne fader iuerre forᵹefes synna iuerre.] c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 19 Nimað ȝeme..hwilche ȝife he us ȝefeð. Ibid. 137 Ure lauerd god almihten..ȝeueð him his blescunge. c 1340 Cursor M. 9645 (Laud) To eche man she yevyþ wille Right to haue good and ille. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 239 And ryȝt as þis lampe ȝefth gret lyȝt. c 1440 Partonope 3213 Precious stones she yeuys [printed yenys] me. Ibid. 8736 Leve to wende He yeuyth [printed yenyth] hem thurgh the Rewme of fraunce. c 1449 Pecock Repr. 264 The seid preier of Iohun ȝeuith to me the seid xxti. pound.

β a 900 Cynewulf Christ 604 in Exeter Bk., He us æt ᵹiefeþ. c 1000 Ags. Ps. lxvii[i]. 12 God ᵹifeð gleaw word godspellendum. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 97 He..ȝifð heom forȝifnesse..Summe Men he ȝif wisdom and speche. a 1200 Moral Ode 146 in Trin. Coll. Hom., Al to diere he hit abuið þe ȝiefð þar-fore his swiere. c 1200 Ormin 2795 Drihhtin ȝifeþþ haliȝ witt Þa menn þatt wel himm follȝhenn. c 1230 Hali Meid. 7 Þis ure lauerd ȝiueð ham her as on erles of þe eche mede þat schal cume þrafter. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. vii. 80 He that ȝiueth. 1393 ― Ibid. C. iv. 341 The ȝifte that god ȝyueth.

γ c 1200 Ormin 11314 Forr ȝure wuke gifeþþ ȝuw Aȝȝ sexe werrkedaȝȝess. a 1300 Cursor M. 18650 (Cott.) He gifs his quelpe lijf to rise. Ibid. 29240 (Cott.) Pape allan, On man he gise [Cotton Galba gifes] til his pouste. Ibid. 24751 (Edin.) Þat gifes me lust of hir to rede. 1375 Barbour Bruce i. 227 Fredome all solace to man giffis. a 1400–50 Alexander 1662 He..Gyfez þaim garisons of gold & of god stanez. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour D ii b, He gyueth us it both by writynges and by lawe. 1485 ― Paris & V. 11 Myn hert giveth it me. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems xvi. 6 Sum gevis for pryd and glory vane. Ibid. 36 Sum givis to strangeris. 1503 Kalender of Sheph., Pater Noster, The qwych ghewys vs certaynte of the way of salwt. 1538 Starkey England i. ii. 45 Then vertue..gyuyth to man hye felycyte. 1602 Shakes. Ham. ii. ii. 73 Old Norwey..Giues him three thousand Crownes. 1780–1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun 1, To show what diff'rence stands 'Tween him that gets and gies commands.

    d. pl. give. Forms: α1 -ᵹeafað, -ᵹefæs, 4 yeven, 5 ȝeveþ. β1 ᵹifað, 3 Orm. ȝifenn, 4 ȝyve, ȝyveþ, -en, 5 yive. γ4 gif(s, gyven, 5 giffen, gife, gifves, gyffon, 5–6 gyve, -eth, 6 ge(e)ve, 6– give.

α [c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xiv. 12 Ðonne..eostro asægcas uel aᵹeafað. Ibid. Luke xi. 4 Gif..we forᵹefæs..scyldᵹe us.] 1387–8 T. Usk Test. Love Prol. 18 Afterward the sight of the better colours yeven to hem more joye for the first leudnesse. 1460–70 Bk. Quintessence 17 Experience techiþ þat colerik men ȝeueþ to summe ymagynaciouns.

β a 1000 Hymns vii. 102 (Gr.) Swa we her [some] ᵹifað earmon mannum. c 1200 Ormin 15380 Þæraffterr ȝifenn þeȝȝ þe follc Ȝet werrse win to drinnkenn. c 1340 [see γ]. c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 67 Þei ȝyve to symple men. c 1394 P. Pl. Crede 114 And in pouertie praien for all oure parteners Þat ȝyueþ vs any good. c 1400 Rom. Rose 5788 With sorwe they bothe dye and live, That to richesse he hertis yive.

γ a 1300 Cursor M. 3114 To lare o godd gif [Gött. giue] þai na tent. Ibid. 5148 Þai ar cled in riche pall And gifs [1340 Fairf. gyuen; Trin. ȝyuen] þair giftes ouerall. c 1400 Destr. Troy 3668 To Agamynon þai giffen þe gouernaunce hole. Ibid. 12002 The grekys full glad gyffon to red. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 18 The prynces of the worlde gyueth worldly rewarde to her prayzers. ? 1476 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 35 The judges gifues [printed gifnes] her no favour, for they say [etc.]. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lxviii. 235 It is a sayenge that they that gyue are euer welcome. 1548–9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion, Wee geue thankes to thee for thy greate glory. 1562 T. Phaer æneid ix. A a ij b, The Troyans dastard harts..neither geeue them dare in open field, nor fierce outbreake In armes. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. (Arb.) 292 With vs the wemen giue their mouth to be kissed.

    3. ind. pa. a. 1st and 3rd pers. sing. gave (geɪv). Forms: α1 ᵹæf, 2 iaf, 3–5 ȝaf(f(e, (4 ȝave, ȝof), 4–6 yaf(e, 4–5 yave, (5 yove). β1 ᵹeaf, 2 ȝiaf, 2–4 ȝef, 4 yeaf. γ4 (9 dial.) gov, 4–5 gaf(e, gaaf(f, -ffe, gaffe, 5 geaf, 4, 6 Sc. gef, 4–6 geve, 6 gayf, Sc. gaif, 8 Sc. gae, 4– gave. Also weak form 7–8, 9 dial. gived, 8–9 Sc. gied.

α [c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke ix. 42 [He] ᵹehælde ðone cnæht & Aᵹæf hine fæder his.] c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Spelm.) lxvi. 5 Eorþan sealde [v.r. ᵹæf] wæstm his. 1154 O.E. Chron. an. 1132 And te king iaf ð(et) abbotrice an prior of S' Neod. c 1200 Ormin 15498 Þe blinde ȝaff he wel to sen. c 1300 Beket 296 As God ȝaf that cas. c 1340 Cursor M. 3912 (Trin.) Þe grace þat god him ȝof. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxv. 71 He yaue hym vnderstandyng. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 273 Of oþer wordelyche honour ȝaff he ryȝt nouȝt. c 1440 Partonope 2740 He yafe golde, selver, and also coine. c 1508 Syr Lamwell in Laneham's Let. (1871) Introd. 30 Sir landevale..yaf yeftes largely.

β a 1000 Elene 365 (Gr.) Eow dryhten ᵹeaf dom unscyndne. a 1175 Cott. Hom. 223 Þat wif..ȝiaf hire were and he æt. a 1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 197 Ich..ȝef ðe al mi suluen. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 2600 The kyng ȝef is men grete ȝiftes. 1340 Ayenb. 81 Al þe uayrhede þet þet body heþ: þe zaule hit yeaf.

γ a 1300 Cursor M. 603 He gafe him..a luuesum land. Ibid. 4393 Sco gaue a cri þat all moght here. Ibid. 15228 Vp he lift his hali hand, and gaf [Gött. geue] þe benisun. 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 370 He..lyfte vp his honde, & gef hym goddez blessyng. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints Prol. 112 God gaff þame sic mycht. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 458 Criste willefully gafe tribute to þo emperoure. a 1400–50 Alexander 5157 Scho gaffe skirmand skrikis. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xi. 282 Whan he had sayd this he..gaaffe hym the monkes hode vpon his hede. a 1550 Christis Kirke Gr. xxiii, He..gaif them bayth their paikis. 1579 Fenton Guicciard. (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 Lack of Gold xxvi, He gied me a letter for Annie.

    b. 2nd pers. sing. gavest. Forms: α1 ᵹéafe, ᵹéfe, 2 ȝef, 4 ȝeve. β4 ȝaf, ȝave, yave, ȝavest. γ4 gaf(s, gave, 6– gavest.

α c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) lxviii[i]. 27 Hi..ehtan ongunnon ðe þu him earfoðu æniᵹ ᵹeafe. a 1240 Wohunge in Cott. Hom. 271 Þu ȝef þe seluen for me to lese me fra pine. c 1300 Harrow. Hell 92 The appel that thou ȝeve hym.

β c 1340 Cursor M. 10485 (Fairf.) Þou..a worþy sonne hir yaue [Trin. ȝaue, see also γ]. 1382 Wyclif Gen. iii. 12 The woman whom thow ȝaue me felow, ȝaue to me of the tree. ― Ezek. xvi. 21 Thou..ȝauest hem.

γ a 1300 Cursor M. 971 ‘Lauerd!’ he said, ‘þou gafs [? gaf us] al’. Ibid. 14056 To mi fete þu gaf [c 1340 Fairf. gaue, Trin. ȝaf] water nan. 1535 Coverdale Gen. iii. 13 The woman which thou gauest me. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. i. i. 99 Pro. But do'st thou heare: gau'st thou my Letter to Iulia?

    c. pl. gave. Forms: α1 ᵹéafon, ᵹéfon, 3 Orm. ȝæfenn, 3–5 ȝe(e)ve(n, (3 ȝefven, ȝeove). β2 iafen, 3–5 ȝouen, yaf(f, 4–5 ȝaf, ȝave(n, (ȝofen), 5 ȝavun. γ3 Orm. gæfenn, 4–6 gaf(e, 5–6 gaff(e, 4–5 gef(e, geven, -yn, goven, 6 Sc. gaif, 4– gave. Also weak forms 7–9 as in a γ.

α a 900 Cynewulf Christ 1354 in Exeter Bk., Þonne ᵹe hyra hulpon and him hleoð ᵹefon. c 1200 Ormin 12732 And teȝȝ himm þa Þuss ȝæfenn sware onnȝæness. c 1205 Lay. 5469 Ȝisles heo him ȝeoue sone. Ibid. 21247 Heo bittere swiþen ȝefuen mid axes & mid sweordes. c 1305 St. Christopher 180 in E.E.P. (1862) 64 Þis wimmen ȝeue him liȝt ansuere, as hi ne ȝeue of him noȝt.

β 1154 O.E. Chron. an. 1137 And did ælle in prisun til hi iafen up here castles. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 844 He..ȝouen him gouel of here lond. c 1340 Cursor M. 19582 (Trin.) Whenne seyntis ȝaf her malisoun Þei ȝaf hit noon bi euel wille. c 1375 Ibid. 17440 (Laud) A somme of pens gadird they And yaff to knyghtes. 1382 Wyclif Matt. xiii. 8 Other seedis felden in to good lond, and ȝauen fruyt. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. iv. (1495) 51 In this matere olde Phylosophers yaaf dyuers and as it were contrary domes. a 1400 Prymer (1891) 38 Thei ȝofen hym drinke galle. c 1449 Pecock Repr. 459 The Apostlis ȝauun sum wey or ground wherbi [etc.].

γ c 1200 Ormin 8211 Þeȝȝ gæfenn heore shorrte lif Forr eche lifess blisse. a 1300 Cursor M. 13708 All þai gaf him list ilkan. Ibid. 19043 At þair gain come mete þai gaue [Gött. gaf; c 1340 Fairf. yaff, Trin. ȝaue]. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Thomas 659 Þan al þe prestis gef a ȝell. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) ii. 5 Þe spounge and þe rede of whilk þe Iewes gafe oure Lord to drynke. c 1400 Destr. Troy 6436 Mony strokes, in þat stoure, þo stithe men hym gefe. a 1400–50 Alexander 1070 Sagittarius forsoth men gafe it to name. Ibid. 2327 All europe to my empyre enterly þai geven. 1785 Burns Address to the Deil xvi, Ye..gied the infant warld a shog.

    4. subj. pres. give. Forms: α1 ᵹefe, ᵹeofe, 2 ȝefe, 2–5 ȝeve, 3–4 ȝef, yeve. β1 ᵹife, 3 Orm. ȝife, 3–4 ȝyve, 4 ȝif, yive. γ3 Orm. gife, 4 gif, Sc. giff, 5–6 geve, 4– give.

α [c 825 Vesp. Psalter lx[i]. 9 Ðaet ic aᵹefe ᵹehat min. 871–89 Charter 45 in O.E. Texts 452 Þonne aᵹeofen hio þa ilcan elmessan.] c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xvi. 2 He uoenas [þæt] ᵹeafa..he ᵹefe uel ᵹeselle gode. c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) lviii[i]. 1 Nymð þu me ræd ᵹeofe. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 67 God us ȝefe mihte and deden. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. xix. 59 Iesu Crist, heovene kyng, Ȝef us alle god endyng. c 1375 Cursor M. 9763 (Laud) He hem yeve his beneson That gladly heryþ this sermon. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 328 Ȝif God ȝeve him beyng and sustenaunce to his lif.

β a 1000 Andreas 388 (Gr.) Weoruda waldend..ðe wist ᵹife heofonlicne hlaf. a 1200 Moral Ode 395 Crist ȝyue us leden her swilc lif and habben her swilc ende. 13.. Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1450 Dame, God yive the howe!

γ c 1200 Ormin 9293 Gife he þatt an summ oþerr mann Þatt iss wiþþutenn kirrtell. a 1300 Cursor M. 1947 To doghty thues lok þou þe gif. Ibid. 4946 If yee giue [Trin. ȝyue] dome, þan sal þai hing. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Machor 1358 Quhill god..þi full far crowne þe giff in hewine to þi werdoune. c 1435 Torr. Portugal 2767 He geve us his blessing!

    5. subj. pa. gave. Forms: 3 Orm. ȝæfe, 4 gof, gove.

c 1200 Ormin 12015 Alls iff þe Laferrd ȝæfe þuss Anndswere onnȝæn þe deofell. c 1350 Will. Palerne 1648 So god for his grace gove i hadde. Ibid. 2348 God for his grete grace gof i hadde now here horse and..harneys.

    6. imp. give. a. sing. Forms: α1 ᵹef, ᵹief, 2 ȝief, 2–4 ȝef, 4–5 yef, 5 ȝe(e)ve, ȝe, yeve. β1–2 ᵹif, 3 Orm. ȝiff, 3–5 ȝif, 4–5 ȝyve, 5 yf. γ4–5 gif(f(e, gyf(f, 6 geve, gyve, 8–9 Sc. and dial. gie, 4– give.

α [c 825 Vesp. Psalter xxvii. 4 Aᵹef edlean heara him.] c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. v. 39 Gif hua ðec slaes in suiðra ceica ðin, sel uel ᵹef him & ðy oðera. c 1000 Hymns v. 10 (Gr.) Ðu us freodom ᵹief. c 1205 Lay. 26075 Lauerd ȝef me grið. c 1420 Lydg. Assemb. Gods 41 Yeue thy cruell iugement ageyn thys traytour. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 122 Syre Kyng..Some meyte ȝemme for charyte. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 547 Yef hem comyn ynough, & baume her pennys. c 1430 How Wise Man tauȝt Son 34 in Babees Bk. 49 Ȝeeue þee not to ydilnesse. 1460–70 Bk. Quintessence 12 Sette it wiþinne a pott of watir, and ȝeue vndirneþe a fier til þe watir of blood be distillid.

β c 1050 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia VIII. 303 Nim þa þreo þe þær synt to lafe, & ᵹif maio. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 27 Ȝif [MS. gif] us to dai ure daihwamliche bred. c 1200 Ormin 5224 Ȝiff me nu þatt twifalde gast. c 1340 Cursor M. 3293 (Trin.) Mayden, he seide, ȝyue me drynke. 1426 Audelay Poems 7 The hungre ȝif mete. c 1450 Guy Warw. (C.) 2758 Yf me thy cowncell nowe.

γ c 1300 Cursor M. 968 (Cott.) O þi winning giue [Gött. gif; Trin. ȝyue] me þe tend. 1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 111 Yat gyff yam grace to ouer-come ere enmys. a 1400–50 Alexander 4184 Giffe þam siluer. 1539 Tonstall Serm. Palm Sund. (1823) 97 Gyue you to prayer. 1548–9 (Mar.), Bk. Com. Prayer, Geue us this daye oure dayly bread. 1785 Burns Death & Dr. Hornbook xi, Come gie's your news.

    b. pl. Forms: α1 -ᵹeafas, 3–5 yeveth, ȝeveth, 5 yeve. β1 -ᵹifað, 2 -ȝyfeð, 4–5 ȝyve(þ, ȝife(th. γ4 geves, gis, gives, 5 ges, 6– give.

α [c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xi. 25 Forletas uel forᵹeafas ᵹif huæt ᵹie habbað wið huelc huone.] a 1300 Havelok 911 But yeueþ me inow to ete. c 1420 Lydg. Assemb. Gods 77 Consyder the cryme, and yeue your sentence.

β [c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Mark xi. 25 Forᵹifaþ [Hatton MS. forᵹyfeð] ᵹif ᵹe hwæt aᵹen æniᵹne habbað.] c 1340 Cursor M. 6138 (Trin.) Gooþ & ȝyueþ [Fairf. geues] me ȝoure benesoun. 1382 Wyclif Acts viii. 19 Ȝyue [v.r. ȝiue, ȝifeth] ȝe to me and this power.

γ a 1300 Cursor M. 5189 (Cott.) ‘Gis [Fairf. giues] me mi clathes,’ þan he said, ‘And hastelik þa we be graid.’ c 1400 Destr. Troy 13553 Bes gracius, for goddes loue, ges me som part. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iii. iii. 3 This is the latest Parle we wil admit: Therefore to our best mercy giue your selues.

    7. pres. pple. giving. Forms: α1 ᵹeafend, 5 ȝeving. β1 ᵹifend, 4 ȝyvynge. γ4–6 gif-, gyfand(e, 6 geving, gewing, geavinge, gyvynge, 6– giving.

α c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. Prol. 16/3 ᵹebreingendum uel ᵹeafendum. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 9 Dubli grauntid & dubli ȝeuing.

β a 1000 Gloss. in Wr.-Wülcker 244/7 Frugalis largus, ᵹifend. 1382 Wyclif Num. xi. 25 Takynge of the spiryt that was in Moses, and ȝyvynge to the seuenty men.

γ a 1300 Cursor M. 18544 To þe wode gifand þair hele. c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. (1866) 1 note, Þis name es swete, & Ioyful gyfand sothfast comforth vnto mans hert. 1533 Wriothesley Chron. (1875) I. 22 And the residue geavinge among the lordes and ladies. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform. xxiii. 21 Ay geuing the quhat thing that thow wald haif.

    8. Past Participle given (gɪv(ə)n). Forms: α1 ᵹeben, 3 yȝeve, 4 yef, ȝefun, 3–5 (i-)ȝeve(n, -in, -un, 4–5 (ȝe)ȝevyn, (y)-yove(n, -yn, ȝove(n, -un, yevyn(e, (5 ? ȝeifin, yewyn), 5–6 yeve(n). β1 ᵹibaen, ᵹifen, ᵹyfen, 2 ȝyven, 3 Orm. ȝifenn, 3–5 iȝive(n, 4–5 ȝiv-, yive(n, yȝif. γ3 Orm. gifenn, 4 Sc. gefin, -yne, geffine, gevine, gewin(e, geyffine, gyfine, gyffine, -yne, 4–6 geve(n, gevyn(e, gifen, giffen, -yn, gifhen, give, -in, gyffen, gyven, -yn, (4 geen, gewyn, gin, 5 gefyn, geyn, 6 geaven, Sc. geif, gein, 7 Sc. gevin, giwin), 4–5 (y)gove(n, -yn, (6 gave, gwovyn), 8–9, Sc. gien, 9 dial. geen, gin, 4– given.

α c 725 Corpus Gloss. 1086 Inpendebatur, ᵹeben wæs. [c 825 Vesp. Psalter lxiv. 2 Ðe bið aᵹefen ᵹehat.] c 1205 Lay. 26986 Þer wes moni dunt iȝeuen. ? a 1300 Salomon & Sat. 273 Betere is appel yȝeue þen y-ete, quoþ Hendyng. c 1300 Harrow. Hell 179 Ich have ȝeve mi lyf For the. 13.. Guy Warw. (A.) 980 Þe dome was ȝouen sikerliche. c 1340 Cursor M. 16727 (Laud) The dome that is yovyn [Cott. giuen] to vs we haue yt with right. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VIII. 73 Þenke and have mynde what oure Lorde haþ y-ȝeve the. c 1410 Love Bonavent. Mirr. iii. (Gibbs MS.), Ȝyftes of grace that sche hadde herde ȝeuen to hyre þat neuere weren ȝouen to creature byfor. 1415 T. Walwayn in E.E. Wills (1882) 20 Þat other half be ȝeifi [? read ȝeifin] to the maryage of yonge pore wommen. c 1449 Pecock Repr. 74 What..power of heering hath God ȝoue to man. 1473 J. Warkworth Chron. 10 Kynge Edwarde hade..yevyne to hym the erledome. c 1485 Digby Myst. (1882) v. 578 Kynde nobley of kynred me yovyn hase.

β Beowulf (Z.) 1678 Da wæs gylden hilt gamelum rince,..on hand ᵹyfen. a 700 Epinal Gloss. 525 Inpendebatur, ᵹibæn uuæs. a 900 Cynewulf Christ 877 in Exeter Bk. 56 Beorht and bliþe him weorþeð blæd ᵹifen. c 1200 Ormin 4018 Drihhtin haffde ȝifenn himm Swillc blettcinng. a 1225 Ancr. R. 114 Hwar was euer iȝiuen to eni blodletunge so poure pitaunce? a 1250 Owl & Night. 551 Ich the habbe i-ȝive ansvare. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 434 God forbede þat lordship ȝyven of þe emperor shulde chaunge or destrie þis lawe of Crist. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 1538 As wolde almighty god that I had yive [v.r. iyive] My blood and flesh. c 1400 Rom. Rose 6686 A man..That al his good to pore hath yiven.

γ c 1200 Ormin 19827 Herodian..Þatt fra Filippe ræfedd wass..& gifenn till Herode. a 1300 Cursor M. 1502 Til caym was spused calmana, Als giuen [Fairf. gyuen] to seth was delbora. Ibid. 3938 Till he had gin him his blissing. Ibid. 16814 + 14 Pilat send & told þe Iews He hade geen his body. Ibid. 21923 Ful iuel-hail es gifen vs wiit. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 1189, I..ȝerned no more þen watz me geuen [rimes with dryuen]. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Barnabas 76 To preche goddis word as is gefyne vs. Ibid., Lawrence 633 Thre housis, þat gewine ware [etc.]. Ibid., George 106 His douchtir..to þe dragone suld be gyffine. 1375 Barbour Bruce i. 317 His landis halyly War gevyn to the Clyffurd. c 1400 Destr. Troy 11978 Myche good hase þe gyffen of his gold red. Ibid. 12053 Þe prise kyng Achilles, Was grauntid to be grauyn, & gyuyn to his toumbe. a 1400–50 Alexander 1883 So þat if be gefyn me þe gre grete glory is my awne. c 1420 Anturs of Arth. xxiii, Thou hase..Gifhen hom to Syr Gauan. c 1460 Towneley Myst. ii. 446 That god of heuen my master has giffen; Browke it well. Ibid. xix. 270 Ful mekill grace is to the geyn. 1469 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 22 The punishment will be grevieous to them, for it is gyffin by a statute. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon iii. 102 Whan Reynawde had gyven that stroke, he wente his waye. 1503 Act 19 Hen. VII, c. 14 §11 Lyvere to be giffyn by any serjauntes at the Lawe at ther makyng. 1513 Douglas æneis ix. xii. 31 Geif into drowry. 1538 Wriothesley Chron. (1875) I. 75 That the said offring might be geaven incontynent to poore people. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 30 A generall pardone was gevyne unto theme alle that came that tyme. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform. vii. 147 God has gein to thame baith strenth & mycht. a 1568 R. Ascham Scholem. ii. (Arb.) 133 Liberallie geuen by others. 1592 W. Wyrley Armorie 129 Sense to daintie pleasure quite is giue. 1592 Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 571 O had she then gaue ouer Such nectar from his lips she had not suckt. 1595 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 92 The pavements shalbe w'{supt}{suph} all conveniente expedicion geve in hand w{supt}{suph} all. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 127 To reduce decretes wrangouslie gevin be all inferiour Commissars. 1786 Burns On a Scotch Bard 5 Our billie's gi'en us a' a jink. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet let. x, The gentleman may hae gien ye siller. 1855 Robinson Whitby Gloss. s.v. Gin, I think he has almost gin again about it.

    B. 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 Goth., OHG., and OS., to have primarily denoted the placing of a material object in the hands of another person. This application (sense 6 below), however, does not occur in OE., and is not very frequent in ON.; the usual sense (which is found in all the Teut. langs.) 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 (OE. sęllan, ON. selja); it may be remarked that according to Prof. Cook's glossary to the Northumbrian gospels, the Lat. dare is never rendered by ᵹeafa or its compounds, but always by (á-, ᵹe-)sęlla. In early ME. the vb. sell became obsolete except in the limited sense = L. vendere, and its meanings passed over to give. While, however, give thus acquired a widened sense (for the process of development of which cf. F. donner to give:—L. dōnāre to present), it retained at the same time the specific meaning which it had in OE. In mod.Eng. 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 vbs.
    The construction, wherever nothing is said to the contrary, is with to (unto) or dat.
    I. trans. 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).

Beowulf (Z.) 1719 [He] nallas beaᵹas ᵹeaf Denum æfter dome. c 1160 [see A 1 b]. c 1205 Lay. 136 Muche lond he him ȝef. a 1225 Ancr. R. 384 Þauh ich ȝefde [? read ȝefe; L. distribuero] poure men al þet ich hefde. Ibid. 396 Þi luue, he seið, urre Louerd, oðer heo is forto ȝiuen allunge, oðer heo is forto sullen. 1297 [see A 3 a β]. 1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 16 Euery brother and sister shal yeuen ye pouer brother or syster a ferthyng in ye woke. 1480 Waterf. Arch. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 315 That no parson..yeve, sill, or lende..ony crosbow. 1538 [see A 8 γ]. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. iv. i. 443 Good sir, this ring was giuen me by my wife. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 107 ¶3 A fine Woman, who distributed Rewards and punishments in giving becoming or unbecoming Dresses to her Maids. 1827 Jarman Powell's Devises II. 21 The giving lands to a corporation for their own benefit barely as an aggregate body, is not a charitable use. Mod. I won't give you the book, but I will either lend it you, or sell it you, whichever you like.

absol. c 1200 Vices & Virtues 11 Ac ðat we sculen bliðe⁓liche ȝiuen and leanen. a 1225 Ancr. R. 330 He is so unimete large þet him nis no þing leouere þen þet he muwe ivinden ancheisun uorto ȝiuene. 1388 Wyclif Prov. xxi. 26 He that is a iust man schal ȝyue and shal not ceesse. c 1430 How Gd. Wijf 20 in Babees Bk. 37 Ȝeue of þin owne good, and be not to hard. a 1500 Syr Peny 70 in Hazl. E.P.P. I. 164 Peny may both rede and gyffe. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. i. iv. 81 When Maidens sue Men giue like gods. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 256 If you cannot give, be daily in prayers. 1664 H. More Antid. agst. Idol. To Rdr. §12 The Knight put his hand into his pocket, and gave them liberally. 1856 Ruskin Mod. Paint. IV. v. vii. §4 The whole heart of Nature seems thirsting to give. 1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos Ser. iii. xxxii. 331 She gave largely to hospitals, and decorated churches.

    b. To render (a benefit or service) without payment.

1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. xiii, We gave him his passage, that is to say, bore his charges. 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.

1154 [see A 3 a α]. 1297 R. Glouc. (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. a 1300 Cursor M. 9373 Hu he gaf vs his pardun Scorteli i sall yow tell resun. 1388 Wyclif 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 Chron., Edw. IV, 227 The rome of Gartier was never geven to no estraunger. 1584 D. Powel Lloyd's Cambria 127 He gaue to the aforesaid Eneon the Lordship of Senghennyth. 1671 in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. 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 Entick London IV. 189 Queen Elizabeth gave them another charter to take four human bodies, executed at Tyburn, to anatomize. 1858 W. Porter Knts. Malta II. xix. 173 Any Maltese who desired to free himself from his allegiance to the Grand⁓master was given a patent. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. II. 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).

1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. iv. ii. 26, I..gaue him what becomed Loue I might. 1607 ― Timon i. ii. 10 You mistake my loue, I gaue it freely euer. 1859 Tennyson Elaine (Song), Sweet is true love tho' given in vain, in vain. 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.

a 1000 Sal. & Sat. 56 (Gr.) Him scippend gaf wuldorlicne wlite. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 19 Crist us ȝef moni freo ȝeue. Ibid. 49 He haueð ȝeuen us to beon mud freo. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 35 Adam..forleas þe fiffeald mihten þe god him ȝef þo þe he him shop. a 1225 Ancr. R. 234 ‘Louerd’, cweð heo, ‘ȝif me strencðe uorto wiðstonden’. a 1300 Cursor M. 9275 Þe gast þat giues giftes sere. 1382 Wyclif John vi. 66 [65] No man may come to me, no but it were ȝouun to him of my fadir. 1389 [see A 6 a γ]. a 1400 Prymer (1891) 47 Ȝif to thi seruawntes that pees: that the world may nouȝt ȝeue. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems 47 Clerkys recorde, by gret auctoryte, Hornes wer yove to bestys for dyffence. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xix. 270 Where so thou gone, fful mekill grace is to the geyn. 1483 Vulgaria abs Terentio 9 a, Itt is gouyn to hym that all that he dothe plesith. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lxxxiv. 265 She gaue me agayne that I sholde be the moost fayrest creature of the worlde. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. John 39 a, So hath he also geuen to his sonne to haue in himselfe the fountayne of all lyfe. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 166 Is not the tongue given for this ende, that one might knowe what an other meaneth? 1624 Quarles Div. Poems, Sion's Sonn. iii. 1 Hee takes pleasure in those gifts, hee gave. 1645 Fuller Good Th. in Bad T. (1841) 8 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 Antipolemus Wks. 1824 V. 434 She [Nature] gave him [man] alone the power of laughing. 1803 Pic Nic No. 11 Give me to feel thy cheering ray. 1851 Robertson Serm. Ser. iii. 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{ddd}!

a 1000, a 1200, 13.. [see A 4 β]. c 1300 Beket (Percy Soc.) 1723 God ȝeve hit were so. a 1310 [see A 4 α]. 1458 in Turner's Dom. Archit. III. 44 Now God geve us grace to folowe treuthe even. 1484 Caxton Fables of æsop v. ix, Sayenge to hym in this manere Syre kynge god yeue good helthe. 1583 Hollyband Campo di Fior 35 God geve thee all felicitie my sonne. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. i. v. 14 Well, God giue them wisdome that haue it.

    c. give me: used as an expression of strong preference or approbation; = ‘what I would have is ―’, ‘I am for ―’, ‘commend me to ―’, etc.

1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, ii. iv. 167 Giue me them that will face me. 1633 Herbert Temple, Church, Content iv, Give me the pliant minde, whose gentle measure Complies and suits with all estates. 1700 T. Brown tr. Fresny's Amusem. Ser. & Com. 43 Let what will happen on't, give me for my Money the Female Sollicitor. 1775 P. Henry Sp. 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! a 1873 Lytton (Ogilvie), 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 vbs.: to give and bequeath, to give and devise.)

1420 in E.E. Wills (1882) 45, I ȝewe to Iohn Forster my godsonne a becure of seluer y-keueryd. c 1430 Syr Gener. 7398 His yongest sonne, after his day He hath yoven him Tharse without nay. 1538 Starkey Will in Lett. (1878) 8 note, I geve to..my lorde Montague, foure pounds. 1784 Johnson Will Codicil, To Bennet Langton, Esq., I give and bequeath my Polyglot Bible. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI. 199 With respect to the words necessary to create a devise, 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. give away. [A prominent Com. Teut. sense: cf. OE. ᵹifta pl., marriage: see ]

a 855 O.E. Chron. an. 853 Ond þæs ofer Eastron ᵹeaf æþelwulf cyning his dohtor Burᵹrede cyninge of Wesseaxum on Merce. 1154 [see A 1 b]. a 1300 [see A 8 γ]. a 1300 Cursor M. 12694 Was anna giuen to salomas. c 1350 [see A 1 a β]. c 1435 Torr. Portugal 933, I have a dowghttyr that ys me dere..I wille geve here in hande. c 1440 [see A 1 a α]. c 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII, 22 Because the lady was of that age, that she coulde neither be geven nor yet taken in mariage. 1592 Davies Immort. Soul vii. ix, Angels..marry not, nor are in Marriage giv'n. ? c 1600 Ballad, Merch. Daughter Bristow ii. in Arb. Garner VIII. 409 Her gentle Master she desired To be her Father, and at church to give her then. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 257 Take not a wife of another Law nor give your daughters to men of another Law. 1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos Ser. iii. xxvii. 270 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 ns.

a 1175 [see A 3 a β]. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 4920 + 7 Þe byssop yt nolde grante, ac outlych yt wyþ seyde To ȝyue hym þulke holy þyng [the sacrament]. a 1300 [see A 6 b γ]. 1375 Barbour Bruce i. 565 The Endentur till him gaf he. c 1400 Destr. Troy 804 And þan sho gafe hym a glasse with a good lycour. 1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Gife a drynke, potare. 1564 Harding Answ. Jewel's Challenge ii. 46 The custome was in some places to geue the Sacrament to infantes..by powring the bloude in to their mowthes. 1591 [see A 3 b γ]. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, ii. iv. 197 Giue me some Sack. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 37 The Letters you gave me to deliver at Breme. 1871 [see A 3 a γ].

    b. With ellipsis of obj. before an inf., to give to eat, drink, † suck. Now only literary.

c 1000 [see A 2 b β]. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 6191 And yhe wald noght gyfe me at ete. c 1375 XI Pains Hell 280 in O.E. Misc. 219 Of aysel and gal ȝe ȝeuen me drenkyn. 1382 Wyclif John iv. 7 Jhesu seith to hir, Ȝyue to me for to drynke. c 1400 [see A 3 c γ]. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour C viij b, Loue and honoure thy husbond and lord as thou didest this brest that gaf the to sowke. 1862 Temple Bar IV. 313, I have given mine enemy to eat when he was a-hungered, and to drink when he was athirst. 1890 Univ. Rev. Dec. 503 Having no other way whereby they might give to eat to the children.

    c. To administer, ‘exhibit’, as a medicine.

1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 192 b, A sponefull of it given in Wine..wonderfully helpeth the hard labours of Women. 1636 Dekker Wonder. Kingd. iv. Wks. 1873 IV. 269 Must I give you a Glister? 1811 A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) 414 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, love, kind regards, etc.

1611 Shakes. Wint. T. v. i. 140, I..from him Giue you all greetings, that a King (at friend) Can send his Brother. 1765 W. Hunter in Life W. Cullen (1832) I. 554 Pray give my best respects to Mrs. Cullen. 1855 Thackeray Newcomes I. vi. 61 Give my love to Clive.

    e. give me―: form of words used as a request by a telephone-user to be connected with a specified person, number, etc.

1887 J. M. W. Yerrington H.K. Goodwin 26 I heard him call, ‘Give me police station.’ 1908 Sears, Roebuck Catal. 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 Hecht & MacArthur Front Page ii. 72 Endicott calling. Gimme a rewrite man.

    7. To commit, consign, entrust. Often more fully in fig. phrase to give into the hands of; also to give to keep, to give into the care or custody of. to give in charge (see charge n. 13 b); to give into custody, in recent use, to direct a policeman to take (a person) as a prisoner.

a 1000 Cædmon's Dan. 5 (Gr.) On Moyses hand wearð wiᵹ ᵹifen, wiᵹena mænieo. c 1205 [see A 3 c β]. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 511 Cristis reule ȝoven to apostlis. c 1400 [see A 8 γ]. c 1430 Lydg. Chichev. & Byc. in Dodsley O. Pl. XII. 334 We may wele syng and seyn, allas That we gaf hem the sovrante. 1483 [see A 1 b γ]. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 146 You have plaied the verie foole, to give the bestowing of so muche money to a straunger. 1617 Moryson Itin. ii. 63 Having already given the governement of Leax to Sir Richard Moryson. 1636 E. Dacres tr. Machiavel's Disc. Livy 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 Locke Governmt. 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 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 567 This Neptune gave him, when he gave to keep His scaly Flocks, that graze the wat'ry deep. 1869 Hughes Alfred Gt. xii. 145 He gave it into the custody of his son-in-law. 1890 Chamb. Jrnl. 17 May 318/1 He was given into custody.

    8. To hand over as a pledge. Also fig. (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).

c 1300 Havelok 2880 For ich giue þe a giue, Þat euere more hwil ich liue, For hire shal-tu be with me dere [etc.]. c 1330 R. Brunne 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. c 1350 Will. Palerne 536, I..leye my loue on þat lud lelly for euere. To god here i gif a gift, it gete schal neuer oþer. a 1400 Sir Perc. 85 And therfore gyffes he a gyfte..That he scholde quyte hym that dynt. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1633) 143, I giue you my word, he for me shall maintaine this quarrell against you. 1621 Bp. R. Montagu Diatribæ 121 We must speake, unless we will give hands to be such as you blazon us for. 1724 Ramsay Tea-t. 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 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 241 What guarantee could he give that he would adhere to his bargain? 1889 Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiv. 378, I gave them the word of a sailor. 1893 Law Times XCV. 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.

c 1200 [see A 3 c γ]. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 213 Þe beggere ecneð his bode, and swereð þat he nele more ȝeuen. a 1225 Ancr. R. 398 Nolde a mon, uor on of þeos, ȝiuen al þet he ouhte? c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 1500 Quad esau, ‘ful bliðelike’, And ȝafe it him wel sikerlike. c 1320 R. Brunne Medit. 331 Euyl for gode þey haue me ȝoue. c 1340 Cursor M. 15409 (Fairf.) Quat wil ȝe me to mede giue? 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. vi. 201 And put hem to werke And ȝaf hem mete as he myȝte aforth and mesurable huyre. 1501 Bury Wills (Camden) 84, I will jt be gwovyn to a pryst to synge for me. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 168 Yea at this day in our time, hath beene seene given for a paire of Pigions X. li. Flemish. 1611 Bible Gen. xxiii. 9 For as much money as it is worth he shall give it me. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 287 An Imperiall Dollar..at my being there [in Germany] was given for eighteene batzen. 1689 Locke Governmt. ii. §46 He would give his Nuts for a piece of Metal. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxiv, The least ye can do is to gie him that o't that's left behind for his labour. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 46 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. 2 b), to give a Roland for an Oliver.

1691 Dryden Pref. to Walsh's Dial. Conc. Women A 4 To give Mankind their own, and to tell them plainly that [etc.]. 1703 Cibber She would & she would not 1, If I don't give you as good as you bring. 1713 Steele Guardian No. 145 ¶3 Having dispatched this combatant, and given him as good as he brings, I proceed. 1738 Swift Pol. Conv. 45 She and I had some Words..; but I think I gave her her own. 1773 N. Frowde Life, Adv., Voy. 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. to give one's ears: see ear 1 c.

1749 Fielding Tom Jones v. iv, Many's the Man would have given his Head to have had my Lady told. 1855 Thackeray Newcomes xxxviii, 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, give no charge of. Obs.
    The origin of these phrases is not clear. Cf. the synonymous Ger. (nichts etc. um, now usually auf, etwas geben) Du. (niets, weinig etc. om iets geven) ON. gefa sèr (mikit, litit) um, which, however, are not formally equivalent. Perh. give (in sense 9) was substituted in these phrases for other vbs. (as tell, hold), the original construction being retained.

c 1300 Havelok 468 Ther offe yaf he nouth a stra. 1303 [see force n. 21]. c 1305 [see A 3 c α]. c 1300 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 65 Of þe kirke gaf þei leste. c 1340 Cursor M. 1834 (Fairf.) In time þai soȝt him of na grace, and litel gaf of goddis manace. c 1400 Mandeville (1839) xxix. 292 Thei ȝive no charge of Aveer ne of Ricchesse. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 864 Of his commandyng þey ȝeve ryȝt nouȝt. c 1430 [see force n. 21]. 1530 Palsgr. 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, damn, etc.; = care v. 4 a (a). Cf. damn n. 2.

1672 [see button n. 1 b]. 1763 [see curse n. 2 ¶ ]. 1895, etc. [see damn n. 2]. 1900 Westm. Gaz. 6 Nov. 1/3 Conductors who don't give a curse for the public. 1922, 1960 [see bugger n. 2 d]. 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.). Obs. exc. with reminiscence of the Biblical use.

1154 [see A 1 a β]. a 1300 Cursor M. 3104 To godd his tend þar gafe he lele. 1388–9 in Wyclif's Sel. Wks. III. 468 Hit ys not to gife dymes. 1526 Tindale Matt. xxii. 17 Is it lawfull to geve tribute vnto Cesar or not? [and so 1611.]

    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 refl.

a 1240 [see A 3 b β]. c 1275 in O.E. Misc. 186 To deþe he ȝef him for us alle. a 1300 Christ on Cross 22 in E.E.P. (1862) 21 Ic mi lif ȝef for þe and i-hang was on tre. a 1300 Cursor M. 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. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1633) 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 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) IV. xvii. 56 The Abbots of Peterborough and New Minster..had given their lives in the cause of England.

    b. refl. Of a woman: to devote (herself) completely to (a man); spec. to accept sexual intercourse.

1860 J. W. Palmer tr. Michelet's Love ii. ix. 130 She aspires only to give herself to you, to belong to you still more entirely. 1895 Hardy Jude (1896) 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).

a 1300 Cursor M. 10661 To godd þan haue i giuen me. a 1400 Octavian (Percy Soc.) 400 To the worlde y wylle me never yeve. 1535 Coverdale 1 Sam. i. 11, I wil geue him vnto the Lorde all his life longe. 1573 J. Sandford Hours Recreat. (1576) 163 He..was mynded desperately to gyve himselfe to the Devill. 1598 Shakes. Merry W. v. v. 156 Do you thinke though wee would haue..giuen our selues without scruple to hell, that [etc.]. 1606 ― Ant. & Cl. iii. ii. 64 Heere I haue you, thus I let you go, And giue you to the Gods. 1611 ― Wint. T. ii. iii. 8 Say that she were gone, Giuen to the fire. 1855 Dickens Dorrit ii. vii, 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 2.)

a 1300 Cursor M. 3116 To foli giues him man to dai. c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 25 Þei shuld oo tyme yevene hem to besynes and worldely thyngis att resonable nede. 1415 [see A 8 α]. c 1430 [see A 6 a α]. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxxviii. 263 Whan he was yeue to ony occupacion he left al other thyng for the mene tyme and tendid therto. 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 41, I gaue my self to that exercise. 1615 Chapman Odyss. xxii. 545 There were twelve that gave Themselves to impudence and light behave. 1688 Burnet Lett. Italy 22 Many nuns..began..to give themselves much to the practice of Mental Prayer. 1814 Cary Dante, Par. vi. 24 To my great task..I gave me wholly. 1855 Browning Fra Lippo 102 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 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.

a 1300 Cursor M. 10478 Sco gaf hir al to murn and care. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xxvi. vi, Towarde the gate [he] gave hym selfe to hast. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 2 b, Gaue them selfe to subdue the passyons of theyr bodyes. 1583 Hollyband Campo di Fior 233 He hath given him selfe to keepe horses. 1686 R. Parr Life Abp. Ussher 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 obj. 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, give a blow, kick, look, push, etc.: also with ns. of gerundial formation, to give a beating, give a scolding, etc.

c 1205 [see A 8 α]. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A 174 Bot baysment gef myn hert a brunt. c 1400 [see A 3 c γ]. a 1550 [see A 3 a γ]. c 1566 J. Alday tr. Boaystuau's Theat. World O, Did give him so many strokes with y⊇ Hay forke, that [etc.]. 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iv. vii. 91 Giue him a box o' th' eare, and that wil make 'em red againe. 1661 Boyle 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. Thevenot's Trav. i. 262 Giving the Rasor a philip, [he] opens the Vein very neatly. 1701 Norris Ideal World i. iv. 191 This..will give a rude shock to the prejudice of vulgar minds. 1847 Marryat Childr. N. Forest xx, Humphrey's only reply was giving a lash to Billy, which set him off at a gallop. 1891 Pall Mall G. 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.

1833 Regul. Instr. Cavalry i. 125 Advance the body and give ‘Third Point’. 1893 W. Forbes-Mitchell Remin. Gt. 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, give a volley, give a shot: see the ns. to give fire: see fire n. 14. Also to give a gun: to order a gun to be fired; sometimes const. dat. (or † to), implying that it is done as an honour, as a help (occasionally as a hostile demonstration). Colloq. phr. to give (her, it, etc.) the gun: to cause (a vehicle) to accelerate; to open the throttle of (an engine). orig. U.S.

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 Capt. J. Smith Accid. Yng. Sea-men 24 Wind vp the slaine..giue three peeces for their funerals. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 21 We gave them a-sterne, two Gunnes as warning peeces of great danger, and tackt about. 1660 Pepys Diary 22 May (Chandos) 34 Nothing in the world but giving of guns almost all this day [in honour of the king's health]. 1694 Motteux Rabelais iv. lxvi. 266 The Gunners..gave every one a Gun to the Island. 1836 Marryat Three Cutters iv, 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. (ellipt.) or intr. To deal a blow, make an attack or charge (at, on, upon). Obs. exc. in pugilistic language.

c 1430 [see A 1 a γ]. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ii. 64 He..gaaff me wyth his fyst vpon my vysage. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. clxxxvii. 222 John Mayllart gaue him with an axe on y⊇ heed that he fyll downe to the yerthe. 1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence, Phormio Prol., Thus he gives at him. 1617 Moryson Itin. ii. 159 Being not fit to make good an entrenched campe, and much lesse fit to give upon a breach. 1640 tr. Verdere's Rom. R. II. 141 Merodiana's Knights..gave so furiously on the enemy, that..they layd above three hundred on the earth. 1653 Holcroft Procopius, Goth. Wars iii. 80 John furiously giving upon the Enemy with a great shout, one of his life guard was slain by a dart. 1814 Sporting Mag. XLIV. 71 His antagonist gave with his left.

    e. To punish (a person) for (doing something), freq. with reference back to what the other person has just said. slang.

1906 E. Dyson Fact'ry 'Ands ii. 23 ‘I'll give yeh whisperin' an' tisperin',’ cried Annie. a 1930 D. H. Lawrence Phoenix II (1968) 136 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 (orig. U.S.).

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. (1958) 351 Give or give out, swing parlance for ‘let yourself go’. 1955 Shapiro & 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 ME. † to give one's end: to die.

c 1200 Ormin 3219 Till þatt he ȝaff hiss ende. a 1300 Cursor M. 14350 On lazaro he gaf a cri, þat all it herd þat stod him bi. a 1340 Hampole Psalter xvii. 15 Þe heghest gaf his voice. c 1450 Merlin 229 He yaf a sore sigh. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 280 [They] clapped with their hands and gave a shout. 1583 T. Stocker tr. Civ. Warres Lowe C. I. 64 a, He greatly presumed that the banished Lords..woulde giue an attempt to returne into their possessions. 1611 Speed Theat. Gt. Brit. i. (1614) 2/1 Julius Cæsar was the first Romane which ever gave an attempt to conquer it. 1663 H. Power Exp. Philos. 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 Caribby Isl. 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. XVI. 132 His teeth gave a short chatter of ridicule. 1835 Alison Europe xiii. §115 (1849–50) III. 124 His foot struck against a body, which gave a groan. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. cxxv, Some bitter notes my harp would give. 1859 H. Kingsley Geoff. Hamlyn iv, Sometimes she gave a stitch or two; but then followed a long gaze out of the window. 1884 May 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).

c 1200 Ormin 10665 Ure Laferrd..Ȝaff himm anndswere & seȝȝde. 1250 [see blessing 2]. a 1300 Cursor M. 28359 Þis sin es cald presumpciun, þat crist gaf til his malisun. a 1300 [see A 8 γ]. 1340 Ayenb. 5 Almiȝti god yaf ten hestes ine þe laȝe of iewes. 1497 Bp. Alcock Mons Perfect. A ij, Gaaf his elect & belouid dyscyples his blessynge. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 19 A Spanyard gave evill language to the Englisheman. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 137 They..make hym at his wittes ende, through the sodaine..frumpe given. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 80, I being armed, gave language to mine adversarie, much misliked. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1633) 149 Giuing order by a secret message. 1600 Holland Livy xxvi. xli. 616 He had given direction..that the legions..should there meete together. a 1626 Bacon Max. & Uses Com. Law vii. (1636) 31 If I give a man slanderous words, whereby I damnifie him in his name and credit [etc.]. 1687 Wood Life 5 Sept. (O.H.S.) III. 239 The base and scurrilous language given to Mr...Walker and..Massy. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton xvi. (1840) 282 Give them good words. 1725 Lond. Gaz. No. 6390/1 A..Mob..gave them abusive Language. 1884 Brit. Q. Rev. Apr. 329 He gave the command ‘right face about’. 1890 Chamb. Jrnl. 10 May 300/1 Suddenly the word of command is given.

    † b. Of a law: To prescribe that. Obs.

c 1305 Pilate 197 in E.E.P. (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 imp., speak! tell me! colloq. (orig. U.S.).

1883 J. Hay Bread-Winners xviii. 275 ‘Why, what are you givin' me now?’ ‘I'm a-givin' you truth and friendship.’ 1889 ‘Mark Twain’ Yankee 6 What are you giving me?.. Get along back to your circus, or I'll report you. 1956 E. Pound tr. Sophocles's 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 pers. subj. 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 obsolescent). Hence (now chiefly dial.), to give the (time of) day (to): to salute with ‘good morning’, ‘good evening’, etc. (as the case may be). [Cf. F. donner le bonjour.]

c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 668 Gawan..gef hem alle goud day. 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iii. i. 14 In the Morne, When euery one will giue the time of day. 1613–16 W. Browne Brit. Past. i. ii, Sweetly she came and with a modest blush Gave him the day, and then accosted thus. 1640 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 ― Sisters v. ii. (1652) 57 Give you joy, Sir, my most illustrious Nephew. 1647 W. Browne tr. Gomberville's Polex. iv. ii. 195 Zabaim and the foure Princes thought they had time sufficient to give the Ladies the good night. 1666 Pepys Diary (1879) VI. 38 Both of whom I did give joy. 1674 tr. Martiniere's Voy. N. Countries 92 Discerning we were strangers, [he] saluted us in Dutch, gave us the time of the day. 1765 W. Hunter Let. in Life W. Cullen (1832) I. 553, I thank the young advocate, and give him joy and all good wishes. 1822 Scott Nigel xxxiv, Bravely done—nobly imparted! Give ye good-den. 1843 Dickens Christmas Carol ii, He heard them give each other Merry Christmas. 1855 Thackeray Newcomes 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.

a 1300 Cursor M. 29512 Quen man wit iuel mode..gis his sentence on ani man. ? 1429 in Wetheral Reg. (1897) 431 The Bishopp oppynly gaffe a decre and a sentence to all thame that [etc.]. c 1465 Eng. Chron. (Camden 1856) 60 The justice that yaf on him jugement livid not longe aftir. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lxxxi. 242 It is not possyble to gyue ony trewe Iugemente. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 106 The Judge is wholly bent to give sentence with hym. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 59 The Archebishop..by vertue of his Apostolike aucthoritie gave censure upon these lawes..of the king. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. ii. ii. 106 So you must be y⊇ first that giues this sentence, And hee, that suffers. 1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 28, I heard..of Lord Shaftesberys having a 1000l. damages given against Lord Dighby for scandalum magnatum. 1700 Tyrrell Hist. Eng. II. 719 This Arrest or Sentence of the Peers of France was given against King John. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI. 483 Judgment was given in the courts of Exchequer..for the plaintiff Fox. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xvii. IV. 39 Judgment had been given against him. 1888 Spectator 28 Apr. 561/1 A decision which must be given next week. 1890 Sir C. S. C. Bowen in Law Times Rep. LXIII. 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 give against. In Cricket, of the umpire: To declare (a batsman) out, not out, etc.

1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 2 Sir Lawhern pretendid that he would give with none unless al might go out, but indeed intendid to give against me. 1762 Goldsm. Cit. W. xxxiii, The whole company..gave it unanimously against me. 1816 W. Lambert Instr. & Rules Cricket 23 Such Umpire..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 Grace Cricket 329 He had changed his mind and given me out. 1891 Longm. 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 pa. pple. is used in official documents for: Dated.

1443 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I. 386 Yoven the day and the yere abouesaid. 1485 in Paston Lett. No. 887 III. 325 Goven at Long Stratton the xx day of October. 1533 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 25 Yeven at our said Paloys the xxviii{supt}{suph} day of Iune. 1602 in Moryson Itin. ii. (1617) 150 Given under our Signet..in the fortie three yeere of Our Raigne. 1726 Swift Gulliver i. iii, 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 1 or 2 (const. to or dat.), to do this in honour of, or for the gratification of, some person or persons. Also in indirect passive.

1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cccciii. 283 b, He gaue dyuers suppers and banketes to ladyes and damosels. 1562 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford 299 A breckfast geven to Mr. Norres. 1712–14 Pope Rape Lock iii. 12 In various talk th' instructive hours they past Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. viii, Intended that night giving the young ladies a ball. 1855 Tennyson Maud i. xx. 2 Our ponderous squire will give A grand political dinner To half the squirelings near. a 1873 Deutsch Rem. (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 Cornh. 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 24 e.

c 950 [see A 6 a α]. 1382 Wyclif 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. ― Isa. l. 6 My bodi I ȝaf to the smyteres, and my chekes to the pulleris. 1589 [see A 2 d γ]. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 649 The mothers use to beare their children at their backs..they give them the brest over their shoulders. 1617 Moryson Itin. ii. 88 Because I had a white horse, I gave the Rebels a faire marke. 1697 Dryden æneid vii. 553 All..Give to the wanton Winds their flowing Hair. 1711 Fingall MSS. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 133 The army was..to marche..by the river, giving their right flanck to the front of the enemy. c 1820 S. Rogers Italy, Brides Venice 70 Their sails out-spread and given to the wind. 1837 Hawthorne Twice-Told T. (1851) I. ix. 160 He holds out his hand; she gives her own. 1855 Dickens Dorrit i. xxxii, ‘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. Obs.

1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9762 He bihuld & nuste þulke foure þere Is herte him ȝef anon wuderward hii wende. c 1375 Barbour Bruce xix. 97 Myne hert giffis me no mor to be With ȝow duelland in this cuntre. Ibid. 107. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 1450 Myn herte me ȝifþ þat ȝif he..takeþ þat iornee, þat þou ne seest hym no more. 1488 Will of Sir E. Shaa (Somerset Ho.), My conscience geueth me to make restitucion. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccclvii. 577 My hert gyueth me that y⊇ mater wyll nat reste longe in the case that it is nowe in. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apophth. ii. 200 a, Full well did it geue this prudent & wise prince in his mynde tofore, that [etc.]. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utop. i. (Arb.) 67 To speke truelye as my mynde geueth me. 1600 Heywood 2 Pt. Edw. IV, i. iv, Somewhat, it giues me, you will bring from thence Worthy the noting. 1650 T. B. Worcester's Apoph. 91 The Marquess had a Daughter whose mind gave her to be a Nun. 1690 W. Walker Idiomat. Anglo-Lat. 206 It gave me in my mind I should lose my labour in going. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. xiv. 95 My heart strongly gives me, that if once I am compelled to leave this house, I never shall see it more. 1820 Scott Ivanhoe xxviii, 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 obj. clause is dropped, so that the vb. assumes the intr. sense ‘to incline, be kindly disposed’.
    (Perh. quot. c 1330 may be an older example of this sense; on the other hand, it is possible that Edward, not heart, is the subject.)

[c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 253 Sir Edward..His herte gaf tille dame Blanche, if her wille wer þerto.] 1470–85 Malory Arthur vii. ii, My herte geueth me to the gretely that thou arte come of men of worshyp. Ibid. xvii. xiii, Moche my hert gyueth vnto yow. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. 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.

c 1200 Ormin 1239 Forr þe to ȝifenn bisne, Þatt [etc.]. a 1225 Ancr. R. 68 Þat oðer [ancheisun] is, uorte ȝiuen þe oðre uorbisne. a 1300 Cursor M. 12620 He gaf þaim rede all resun. c 1449 [see A 3 c β]. 1470–85 [see example n. 6]. 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. 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 Fleming Panopl. Epist. Epit. A, Give me the sundrie kindes of Epistles. 1579 [see A 3 a γ]. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. iv. i. 59 As there is no firm reason to be rendered..So can I giue no reason. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 20 Some giving one etymologie and derivation of the word, and some another. 1693 Dryden Juvenal Ded. (1697) 75 Thus have I given the History of Satire, and deriv'd it from Ennius to your Lordship. 1711 Addison Spect. 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 Goldsm. Rom. Hist. (1786) II. 382 As if he [Commodus] gave the example, very few of his successors escaped a violent death. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 51 The account of it is given in the Mercury of France. 1821 Keats Isabella iii, He knew whose gentle hand was at the latch, Before the door had given her to his eyes. 1889 M. Gray Reproach 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. 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).

1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 15 Albeit Ptol. after him gives no further extendure of land south, than 12 deg. 1856 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XVII. 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 Longm. 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.). Obs. Cf. to give arms, s.v. arm n.² 15.

1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII, 59 The Emperour Maximilian..at that tyme gave an Egle in his armes. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 388 note, He bare the name and gave the badge or cognisaunce of the same. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. v. 29 Teare the Lyons out of Englands Coat;..giue Sheepe in Lyons stead. 1598 ― Merry W. i. i. 16 All his Ancestors (that come after him)..may give the dozen white Luces in their Coate. a 1626 Middleton More Dissemblers i. iii, I give the flaming heart, It is my crest. 1640 Shirley Doubtful Heir i. (1652) 7 Her sweet Heart, that gives Cupid in his crest.

    25. To represent, describe, portray, report. Now rare. † Also refl. with complement: To appear, present itself as. Obs.

1607 Shakes. Cor. i. ix. 55 Too modest are you: More cruell to your good report, than gratefull To vs, that giue you truly. 1631 Shirley Traitor iii. iii. (1635) F 3 Your brother gave you more Desirous of the sport. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 12 The Land at twenty leagues distance gave itselfe very high. 1638 Ibid. (ed. 2) 230 Many other things give themselves note-worthy. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. lxxv, What practice howsoe'er expert..Hath power to give thee as thou wert?

    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. F. donner.

c 1460 Towneley Myst. xiii, 183, I wold, or we yode, oone gaf vs a song. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lix. 207 Take thy vyall, and geue vs a songe. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales I. 198 He promised to give us another chapter out of his book, on another occasion. 1855 Thackeray Newcomes I. xiii. 134 Who will give us a song? 1879 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 Cornh. Mag. Dec. 625 Havard's play of ‘Charles I’ was being given at York. 1890 Illustr. Lond. News 26 Apr. 536/1 The opera was given again in 1864.

    27. To offer, propose as a sentiment or toast.

1728 Ramsay On seeing Archers divert themselves 96 Neist, sir, you name; I give you Basil's handsome dame. 1793 Burns On Rodney's Victory 1 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 Dickens Pickw. xxxvii, ‘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).

a 1470 Tiptoft Tulle on Friendsh. (Caxton) iv, The gretest fruyte of naturel virtue..is thenne taken whan it is youen and departed to theym that be next in frendship & good wille. c 1566 J. Alday tr. Boaystuau's Theat. World F iij, For the father can give to the child but fraile and mortall fleshe. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons 18 The match also if it bee not..kept verie drie..it giveth no fire to the touchpowder. 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).

1639 T. Brugis tr. Camus' Mor. Rel. 144 This Castle giveth name unto a Family sufficiently knowne. a 1671 Ld. Fairfax Mem. (1699) 84 The place was Marston fields, which afterwards gave the name to this battel. 1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 11 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 [= Sp. dar parte, F. faire part]: to apprise a person of. to give (a person) a piece of one's mind: (colloq.) usually, to give emphatic expression to one's disapprobation.

c 1449 Pecock Repr. 68 Bi teching and informacioun of sum sad clerk ȝouun to thee. 1558 Queen Elizabeth in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. App. i. 2 We do publish and give knowledge by this our proclamation to all maner peple. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 41 In giving my name, I wrote my selfe an Englishman. 1643 Order Parlt. in Milton's Areop. (Arb.) 26 By way of revenge for giveing information against them. 1652 Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. 481 This is the real and Roial design of this Fleet, whereof you may give part..to our good neighbors. 1661 Boyle 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. Thevenot's Trav. ii. 59 Tales..which I shall give as cheap as I had them. 1785 [see A 6 a γ]. 1861 Dickens Gt. Expect. v, Would you give me the Time? 1865 ― Mut. Fr. iv. xiii, The room in which she had given him that piece of her mind at parting. 1885 Century Mag. XXX. 79 1 In a few words Captain Schley gave me an inkling of his plans. 1886 Manch. Exam. 23 Jan. 5/3 The policy given in outline in the Queen's Speech ensures the opposition of the Parnellites. 1887 Hall Caine Deemster xxxiii. 216 The men gathered close about T... T. gave his plan. 1889 F. Barrett Under Strange Mask II. xvi. 109, I gave him my name.

    b. to give to the world, give to the public: to publish (a literary work, a discovery, etc.).

1757 W. Cullen in Life (1832) I. 531 When those parts that are finished shall be given to the public. 1825 New Monthly Mag. XV. 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.

c 1566 J. Alday tr. Boaystuau's Theat. World R b, The whiche giveth us to understande that man is the verie chiefe worke of God. 1586 Queen Elizabeth in Corresp. Earl Leicester (Camden Soc. 1844) 210 So we think mete the counsel of state be geven to understand. 1586 Earl of Leicester ibid. 246 It is secretly and assuredly giuen me to vnderstand [etc.]. 1586 Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. v. ii, I..Shall give the world to note..That virtue solely is the sum of glory. 1623 Lisle ælfric on O. & N. 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 Sparks Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853) II. 170 We have given them to understand that the frigate..is to push out of the Sound. 1786 T. Jefferson Writ. (1859) I. 539 Our report..they may be given to know, cannot be formed without decisive information. 1811 C'tess Berkeley Addr. to Peers 19, I met him when he gave me to believe that his intentions were honourable. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 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 pa. pple. with adv. = Dowered.

c 1050 [see A 6 a β]. c 1230 Hali Meid. 9 Hwen þus is of þe riche hwat wenes tu of the poure þat beoð wacliche iȝeouen. a 1300 Cursor M. 16767 + 118 Him was not geue so mikel plas, War-on he miȝt dee fayre. Ibid. 28724 O crist..We find he gaf na penance mare. 1382 [see A 3 b α]. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 7082 Þe bischop penance þan him gaue. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Apr. 114 Let that rowme to my Lady be yeuen. 1599 Jas. I βασιλ. Δωρον (1603) 91 æquitie in thinges arbitrall, giueth euery one that which is meetest for him. 1667 Milton P.L. viii. 339 Not onely these fair bounds, but all the Earth To thee and to thy Race I give. 1771 Goldsm. 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 Eth. Th. II. i. i. §2. 156 The states in question being given to the respective subjects. 1890 Lippincott's 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).

c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 232 Adam abraid, and saȝ ðat wif, Name he ȝaf hire ðat is ful Rif. c 1320 Cast. Love 615 Þeos beþ þe nomen..Þat þe prophetes him ȝeeuen. c 1450 Myrc 138 Then may the fader wyþoute blame Crysten the chylde and ȝeue hyt name. 1461 Paston Lett. No. 394 II. 18 To gyve them that ar chosyn knyghtes of the shire, day after Michel⁓messe. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon 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. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 259 A thing worthy..of reformation when God shal give time. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 622 The women wash the childe all over with water, and give the name. 1630 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) I. 45 The Court..gave day to joyn in Demurrer this Tearm. a 1715 Burnet Own Time II. 175 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. Obs.

1535 Coverdale 1 Chron. vii. [vi.] 48 As for their brethren the Leuites, they were geuen to all the offices in the habitacion of the house of the Lorde. 1611 Bible Eph. iv. 11 He gaue some, Apostles; and some, Prophets.

    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.). colloq.

1835 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 Stevenson Virg. 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. 1962 Wodehouse Service with Smile vii. 107 ‘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. Obs.

1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 12 The ægiptians..gave to the seven Planetes .vij. heavens. 1603 Florio Montaigne ii. iv. (1632) 200, I do..give pricke and praise [F. je donne la palme] unto Jaques Amiens. 1605 Shakes. Macb. i. iii. 119 Those that gaue the Thane of Cawdor to me, Promis'd no lesse to them. 1613 ― Hen. VIII, iii. ii. 262 From all That might haue mercie on the fault, thou gau'st him. 1624 Bp. R. Montagu Gagg 42 He gave too much to traditions. 1756–82 J. Warton Ess. Pope II. ix. 60 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. 1770 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. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scandal i. i, I don't wonder at people giving him to me for a lover. 1797 Morn. 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. Exam. 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 adjs. or pples. of condition): To account, consider, set down as. Cf. to give over, up for. Obs.

1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. i. iv. 40 Mens reports Giue him [Pompey] much wrong'd. 1613 Voy. Guiana in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) III. 177 We descried her to leeward of us, contrary to our expectation, having given her for lost. 1622 Beaum. & Fl. Span. Cur. iv. iv, If, ere the sun be set, I see you not, give me dead. a 1625 Fletcher Hum. Lieutenant ii. ii, Nay, give 'em lost, I saw 'em off their horses. c 1645 Howell Lett. (1655) I. v. xxx. 226 Greek I perceiv'd it was not, nor Latin or English; So I gave it for meer gibbrish. 1646 Fuller Wounded Consc. (1841) 342 Pensive parents solicitous for the souls of their children have even given them for gone. 1671 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 392 The Dutchess of York is dead. All gave her for a Papist. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 130 ¶4 The Parents, after a long Search for him, gave him for drowned in one of the Canals. a 1715 Burnet Own Time II. 144 The party against the court gave all for lost. 1740 tr. de Mouhy's Fort. Country-maid (1741) I. 191, I gave myself for lost.

    † c. to give for granted: to take for granted, consent to assume. Obs.

1637 Heylin Antid. Linc. ii. vii. 81 Which given for granted we proceed, and will shew some reasons [etc.]. 1657 R. Ligon Barbadoes (1673) 25, I shall easily be led..to give for granted, that Carlisle Bay [etc.]. 1692 R. L'Estrange Josephus, Antiq. iii. v. (1733) 61 The Hebrews..fell into a Consternation giving it for granted that God in his wrath had taken away Moses.

    32. The pa. pple. is used, esp. in an absolute clause, with the sense: Assigned or posited as a basis of calculation or reasoning. Cf. given ppl. a.

1667 Primatt City & C. Build. 159 How to draw a Perpendicular Line from any Point, to any Line given. 1828 J. H. Moore Pract. Navig. (ed. 20) 109 The Difference of Latitude and Departure given, to find the Course, Distance, and Difference of Longitude. 1885 Manch. Exam. 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.

c 1200 [see A 1 b]. a 1225 [see A 8 β]. a 1300 Cursor M. 22326 Þe erth sal giue o frut plente. 1382 [see A 3 c α]. c 1420 [see A 2 c α]. 1548 Hall Chron. Edw. IV, 200 b, All the whole Province of Yorke, gave yerely to this Hospitall certain measures of corne. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iii. (1586) 150 She requireth greater quantity of meate, whereby she may give the more milke. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 91 The same family hath given three Dukes..and three Patriarkes, and twelve Procurators of Saint Marke. 1628 Digby Voy. Medit. 41 Trees that giue aromatike gummes. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. 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. 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. R. Agric. Soc. II. i. 121 The 241 lbs. of wheat should have given 189 lbs. of flour. 1852 Ibid. XIII. i. 26 The cow..gave in the evening 5 quarts of milk. Ibid. 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). Obs.

a 1575 Diurn. Occurr. (Bannatyne Club) 306 The Meill gaif xij shillings the peck. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 41 A Spanish shilling gives twenty five Pice, a Riall of eight gives five Mammoodees. 1681 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. (1693) 663 Let him sell oyl, if it give anything. 1761 Earl of Haddington Forest-trees (1765) 8 In other countries it gives a great price. 1799 J. Robertson 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.

1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 91 The Garden..has six severall discents, each part giving eightie paces, and seventie broad. 1727 Arbuthnot Table Anct. Coins, etc. 240 The number of Men being divided by the number of Ships, gives four hundred and twenty-four Men a-piece. 1739 tr. Algarotti on Newton's Theory (1742) II. 149 Two multiplied by itself gives Four. 1858 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XIX. i. 172 An analysis of the guano..gave the following results. 1890 Longm. 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. Obs.

c 1449 Pecock Repr. iii. v. 306 Experience hath ȝouun bifore these daies that grete lordis [etc.]. 1481 Caxton Myrr. ii. i. 64 Raison and nature gyue that alle the worlde be rounde. 1552 Latimer Serm. Lincolnsh. ix. (1562) 144 b, The time giueth it that Christ shoulde come. 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 22 Taraxippus the stone, as the name giueth, doth signifie the Horse his trouble and disquietnesse. 1627–77 Feltham Resolves i. xxx. 52 The same reason gives it: for, Optima corrupta pessima. 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 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 obj.: 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.

a 1300 Cursor M. 539 Þe ouer fir gis man his sight. c 1340 [see A 7 γ]. c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 333 To sich folk wolde Crist ȝeue blisse. 1387–8 [see A 2 d α]. c 1400 Destr. Troy 10404 He greuit þe greke, and geue hym þe worse. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 710 Þ{supt} suche a meracule for hurre hadde wrouȝt, And ȝeve, for hurre love, þ{supt} bysone mon his syȝt. 1513 More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 781 The ieoperdy so well passed, it gave him great pleasure to talke with him thereof. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. V, 55 b, To geve men a courage for to go furth, money was fyrst gathered. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons 18 b, Whereby [a wad] the whole charge of powder being restrained may..give the more force to the bullets. 1610 Bp. Carleton Iurisdiction 163 When the pope was able to meet the Emperour in battell and give him the worse. 1617 Moryson Itin. ii. 75 Finding the Army a meere Chaos, he had given it forme. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. lxxix. 319 On the death which I hope to give to this Fish, my perfect content depends. 1674 tr. Martiniere's Voy. N. Countries 32 Which they distil..putting in a certain grain which gives it the same strength and intoxication as ours. 1726 G. Roberts 4 Years Voy. Ded. A iij b, A Person whose Profession and Opportunities have not given him those Advantages which others may boast. 1728 Morgan Algiers II. iii. 247 It gives me the Vapours to find People miscalled. 1754 Richardson Grandison II. xxiii. 168, I give you emotion, madam. Forgive me. I have performed my promise. 1773 A. Grant Lett. fr. Mount. (1813) I. xiii. 108 Another far-seen object gives sad variety to the prospect. 1803 Pic Nic No. 4 (1806) I. 122 Her restless ambition continues to give alarm in every quarter. 1817 W. Selwyn Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 1183 This, in Lord Kenyon's opinion, gave the plaintiff a title to the whole. 1862 Tyndall Mountaineering iv. 32 Its deep seclusion gives it a peculiar charm. 1874 Green Short Hist. iv. §3. 176 The King..wept bitterly at the news of his father's death, though it gave him a crown. 1883 Manch. Exam. 22 Nov. 5/4 Currency is given..to a rumour that the Parcel Post is being conducted at a loss of something like {pstlg}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 Hist. Eng. fr. 1689 115 Burke gave the tone to the mass of English opinion.

    b. with dat. of person and infinitive.

1768 Woman of Honor II. 187 Your knowing one gives you to know the whole mutton-headed species. 1803 M. Charlton Wife & Mistress 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 refl. 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.

c 1500 Melusine xxx. 223, I gyue me grete wonder what folke they may be. 1676 tr. Guillatiere's Voy. Athens 5 Looking gravely, to give myself Authority [etc.]. 1704, 1734 [see air n. 15 b]. 1726 G. Roberts 4 Years Voy. 22 Without giving myself any further Trouble. 1836 Lane Mod. Egypt. I. 146 She went to his shop, riding on an ass, to give herself consequence, and said [etc.]. 1843 A. Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. 13 She gave herself no airs to procure it. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) II. 409 We ought not to give ourselves airs. 1886 Law Times LXXXII. 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.

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. & C. Winston tr. Mann's 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. Ibid. 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, think: to furnish material for reflexion or thought. (A Gallicism.) Esp. in phr. to give (one) furiously to think [tr. F. donner furieusement à penser], to set (a person) thinking very hard or seriously; to give (one) much food for thought; to puzzle.

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 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 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. 39. a. To allow a person or thing to have or take; not to withhold or withdraw; to concede, yield. to give (a person) best: to acknowledge oneself defeated by (slang).

1548 Hall Chron., Hen. V, 75 The kyng of Englande gevyng the upper hande to his father inlawe through the greate citee of Paris. Ibid., Hen. VII, 23 b, They never gave their enemies one daye to repose. 1583 Hollyband Campo di Fior 377, I yealde unto thee..Without any more a doe, I give thee the victorie at this passe-time. c 1611 Chapman Iliad i. 272 Atrides, give not stream to all thy power. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. iii. 97 The common People give their Wives great Liberty. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 275 They give their Bodies due Repose at Night. 1711 W. King tr. Naude's Ref. Politics iii. 121 To give a freer range to his passions. 1803 Pic Nic No. 3 (1806) I. 104 Give but time to this experiment, and it will work its end. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xxx, The gigantic warder..resigned his keys, and gave open way to the Goddess. 1836 E. Howard R. Reefer 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. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair ix, 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. a 1889 W. Collins Blind Love (1890) III. xlix. 82 Give yourself an hour to get from station to station. 1889 Boldrewood Robbery under Arms vii, I could hardly stand for laughing, till the calf gave him best and walked. 1894 Baring-Gould Deserts S. France I. 131 She is..given a long rest in the middle of the day.

    † b. absol. imp. give ye = allow the remark, with your permission. Obs.

1662 J. Chandler Van Helmont's Oriat. To Rdr., Ye seek not the Poor, but (Give Ye) ye resemble Beggars.

    † c. give me myself: let me go, leave me at liberty. Obs.

a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Valentinian ii. iii, Give me myself or, by the gods, my friend, You'll 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.

1519 W. Horman Vulgaria f. 63v A man muste somtyme gyve and somtyme take. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III v. iii. 6 We must both giue and take my louing Lord. a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1662) iii. 96 The King [sc. Henry VIII], 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. 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. colloq.

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. colloq.

1917 [see bone-head s.v. bone n. 17]. 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. intr. To yield, give way. a. To yield to pressure or strain.

1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. ii. (1586) 109 The Oliue..will give and bende, and so will the Poplar, the Willow. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 267 If that Cable had given as the other Two did, the Ship must unavoidably have been lost. 1715 Leoni Palladio's Archit. (1742) I. 9 If..the Walls should happen to sink, or 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 Jefferies Wild Life in S. Co. 72 The wood..‘gives’ a little and does not jar when struck. 1889 Stevenson Master of B. ix. 240 The rail of the fence gave suddenly under his weight. 1890 Univ. 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. Lond. 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.

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.

1823 J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 166 Persons..giving..to the motion of the vessel, like outside passengers by a stage⁓coach. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. liii, Dare we to this fancy give? 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. 1886 Rider Haggard 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.

(a) 1546 Princess Elizabeth in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. II. 147 From the grace of the pictur the coulers may fade by time, may giue by wether, may be spotted by chance.

(b) 1677 Grew Colours Pl. iii. §27 There are some Salts, which will not give in the least. 1707 Mortimer Husb. 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 Mrs. Delany Let. 3 Oct. in Life & 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.

(c) 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons 21 Some moyst weather hath..caused the powder to give and danke. 1643 T. Goodwin Trial Christian's Growth 126 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 Reid tr. Macquer's Chem. 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 LVIII. iii. 468 ‘The walls are giving’ does not mean that they are collapsing, but that they are moist.

fig. 1607 Shakes. Timon iv. iii. 491 Flinty mankinde: whose eyes do neuer giue But thorow Lust and Laughter.

(d) 1627 tr. Bacon's Life & Death (1651) 8 Planchers of Houses, which at first lay close together but after they are dried, gave. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Vertue iv, Onely a sweet and vertuous soul, Like season'd timber, never gives; But though the whole world turn to coal, Then chiefly lives.

    e. Of frosty weather: To relax its severity, to become mild; to thaw.

1678 Wood Life 9 Dec. (O.H.S.) II. 426 Frosty, dry, and dusty..and then the weather gave, but no raine followed. 1709 Luttrell in Collect. (O.H.S.) II. 436 The weather began to give and the snow to melt. 1840 Spurdens Suppl. to Forby, Give, to thaw. ‘It is beginning to give.’ The frost is going. 1843 Lefevre Life Trav. Phys. II. ii. ix. 287 About Christmas the weather generally gives. 1895 Times 11 Feb. 6/3 The frost..did not ‘give’ at all in the last-named regions.

    f. what gives?: what is happening? (freq. 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. G. was gibt's?) colloq. (orig. U.S.).

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. 41. In various obsolete uses, where put or set would now be used; e.g. to give (an) end, give a period, give a date, give a stop to. Also to give in hand, to give fire to (see fire n. 1 f).

1460–70 [see A 6 a α]. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xvii. 396 Reynawd..wyll not gyve noo yrens to your nevewe. c 1489 [see A 3 a γ]. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) B, Tyme gyuethe ende to that suffrethe ende. 1595 [see A 8 γ]. 1617 Moryson Itin. iii. 253 His death gave an end to that warre in the yeere 1477. 1624 Heywood Gunaik. iii. 160 To give date unto that which hath..afflicted me. a 1641 Spelman Sacrilege (1698) 121 King Henry I..dying afterward without Issue Male, in the year 1135, gave a period to this Norman Family. a 1677 Barrow Serm. Pleasantn. Relig. Wks. 1687 I. 3 The imperceptible course of nature..may..give an end to our businesses and lives together. 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. ii. i. 132 To give some stop to those Atheistical and Epicurean Opinions. 1712 J. James tr. Le Blond's Gardening 108 Placing..Barrels of Powder at the Foot of them, to which they give Fire, by Trains laid for that purpose.

    XIII. intr. To have a (specified) direction.
    † 42. Of the sun: To direct its rays, shine. Obs.

1616 Surfl. & Markh. Country Farme 80 Her troughes may be in the ayre, and where the Sunne giueth.

    43. To look, open, lead; afford a view or passage. Const. into, off, on, on to, over, to, upon. (A Gallicism: cf. F. donner sur.)

1840 T. Hook in New Monthly Mag. LX. 434 The back windows..to use a French phrase, give to the gardens. 1860 Dickens Uncomm. Trav. iii, The Refractories were picking oakum, in a small room giving on a yard. 1867 R. Broughton Cometh up as Flower xxiii. (1878) 267 The verandah upon which the salon gives. 1872 Lever Ld. Kilgobbin xxviii. (1875) 165 Kate Kearney's room..‘gave’ by a window over the leads of a tower. 1872 Howells Wedd. Journ. 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 Mrs. E. Lynn Linton Thro' Long Night I. i. vi. 83 Bed-room, dressing-room and boudoir, all gave off the first landing. Ibid. III. iii. xv. 268 It was the road which gave on to the highway.

    XIV. In idiomatic phrases consisting of verb and object.
    44. give birth to. a. To bear; bring forth. b. fig. To produce; result in.

1712 Addison Spect. No. 267 ¶6 æneas's Settlement in Italy produced the Cæsars, and gave Birth to the Roman Empire. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xxvi, His wife, then near the time of giving birth to an infant, fled into the forest. 1861 Temple Bar II. 327 His mother..dies in giving him birth. 1862 Stanley Jew. Ch. (1877) I. xii. 231 A fit receptacle of a nation which was to give birth to the Sacred Book of all lands.

    45. give ground. a. To retire before a superior force; † rarely with indirect obj. b. fig. To yield; to relax effort. † c. To yield precedence (obs.).

a. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, i. iv. 15 And when the hardyest Warriors did retyre, Richard cry'de, Charge, and giue no foot of ground. 1640 tr. Verdere's Rom. Rom. i. 81 His arrivall stayed the fury of the Pagans in such sort, as they began to give him ground. Ibid. iii. 181 The Pagans [began] to give ground. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 6 ¶9 They are once again forced to give ground. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxii. IV. 433 The enemy was beginning to give ground.

b. 1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. To Rdr., Hereupon is he persecuted, reviled, &c...he gave not ground for all this, but bore up manfully. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. II. 258 Though the giving ground in such Cases be what we are apt rather to pity than to condemn. 1888 Mrs. H. Ward R. Elsmere xvi, As a man wavers in a wrestling match when his opponent unexpectedly gives ground.

c. 1652–62 Heylin Cosmogr. i. (1682) 130 Valleys of great fertility, not giving ground for fruitfulness to the best in Europe.

    46. give it. a. With dat. or to: To make an attack either with blows or words. Also colloq., to give it hot. b. slang. With to: To rob, defraud. † c. = to give tongue (see tongue) (obs.).

a. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. iv. iii. 64 Now Maisters draw, Oh well said Lucian: Good Boy in Virgoes lap, giue it Pallas. 1612 Chapman Widowes T. i. C 2, Ile giue it him home. 1831 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 Mag. XVI. 191/1 Now he is giving it to him!

b. 1812 J. H. Vaux Flash Dict., 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. 1600 Cornwallyes Ess. xiv, How well Iumball gaue it in such a dry path, he hath a Nose cries one, like a Beagle, and yet a verie deepe mouth.

    47. give place (const. to). † a. To give ground, yield to pressure or force (obs.). b. To quit one's place to make room (for another); to yield precedence; † fig. to be inferior, ‘yield’ to. † c. To yield or defer (to advice) (obs.). d. To be succeeded or superseded (by another person or thing).
    [In the first two senses the phrase is a literal rendering of L. dare locum, Gr. τόπον διδόναι.]

a. 1382 Wyclif Judg. xx. 36 The which thing biholdynge the sones of Yrael ȝeuen to hem place to flee. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 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 Mirr. Mag., Dk. Suffolk xxii, Which must perforce geve place vnto the wave. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. lviii. 121 The enimies were driuen to giue place.

fig. 1382 Wyclif Rom. xii. 19 Gyue ȝe place to ire. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 605 Although he were glad to depart and give place to his evill fortune for a time [etc.]. 1638 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Erom. 5, I am resolved to give fortune place.

b. 1382 Wyclif Luke xiv. 9 He comynge that clepide thee and him, seye to thee, Ȝyue place to this. a 1557 Ld. Vaux Aged Lover 24 in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 174 Limpyng age will hedge him now Where youth must geue him place. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 69 Giving place to none that is neere unto you for auncientnesse of acquaintaunce. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 91 A House and Garden of the Kings, giving place to few in Parthia. 1756–7 tr. T. Keysler's Trav. (1760) IV. 350 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 lxiv. 268 Thessaly's youth gave place to the Gods high-throned in heaven.

c. 1578 Timme Caluine on Gen. 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. Hall Hard Texts, N.T. 115 If ye had given place to that saving word of mine which hath beene delivered unto you.

d. 1555 J. Hooper in Coverdale Lett. Mart. (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 Steele Spect. No. 49 ¶3 These Gentlemen..give place to Men who have Business or good Sense in their Faces. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 158 The liturgy gave place to the Presbyterian directory. a 1889 W. Collins Blind Love (1890) III. lx. 240 Autumn had given place to winter.

    48. give rise to. To be the origin of; to produce; to result in.

1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. i. i, Very trifling circumstances have often given rise to the most ingenious tales. 1798 Ferriar Illustr. Sterne ii. 25 The birth and education of Pantagruel evidently gave rise to those of Martinus Scriblerus. 1863 E. V. Neale Anal. Th. & Nat. 93 The answer to these questions gave rise to the systems of Heraclitus, Empedocles, and Anaxagoras. 1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Eng. xlviii. 480 His whole previous career had given rise to the gravest distrust.

    49. give way. a. Of fighting men: = give ground. To retreat before an advancing force; to break rank. Also transf. and fig. Const. to.

1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 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 Caxton Chas. Gt. 193 They..made so grete bruyt that the moost hardyest of the paynyms gaf them waye. 1704–5 Atterbury Serm. (1726) I. 369 With how much greater Difficulty, every time that we give way, we recover our Ground. 1804 W. Tennant Ind. Recreat. (ed. 2) 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. Obs.

a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon xxxviii. 122 They gaue hym way, nor durst aproche nere hym. 1606 Holland Suetonius 102 He himselfe would arise up unto the said consuls and give them the way [L. decedere via]. 1617 Moryson Itin. iii. 55 The coaches comming downe from the upper parts, give the way to those that come up. 1687 Boyle Martyrd. Theodora vii. (1703) 90 Such sentiments..as made them with great respect give her way. 1697 Dryden æneid i. 822 Scarce had he spoken, when the Cloud gave way, The Mists flew upward, and dissolv'd in day. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth ii, 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.

1713 Steele Englishm. No. 12 Sophistry must give way to Learning. 1852 H. Rogers Ecl. Faith (1853) 70 My early Christian faith has given way to doubt. 1885 M. Linskill A 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. Obs.; passing into f. and g.

a 1586 Sidney Arcadia i. (1633) 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. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, v. ii. 82, I gaue bold way to my authority, And did commit you. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. i. vii. §7 Antoninus Pius..not only ceasing persecution, but giving way to the advancement of Christians. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 1 Certaine..could not be brought..to giue way to good Letters. 1631 Star Chamb. Cases (Camden) 15 This is not to be given way to. 1632 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Erom. 133 Giving thereby rather way and encouragement to the Infante, to demand her. 1633 Hall Hard Texts 610, I will give way to a shepheard not more foolish than wicked to arise in my Church. a 1657 Bradford Plymouth Plantat. (1856) 134 At length, after much debate of things, the Gov{supr}..gave way that they should set corne every man for his owne perticuler. 1793 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 143 They who, through weakness, gave way to the ill-designs of bad men [etc.]. [1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India v. v. II. 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 (obs.). Of the health, mental powers, etc.: To break down, fail.

1640 tr. Verdere's Rom. Rom. iii. 2 All the skill and courage the Marriners had were faine to give way to the violence of this tempest. 1665 Manley Grotius' Low C. Warres 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 Dryden æneid i. 170 The stoutest Vessel to the Storm gave way, and suck'd through loosen'd Planks the rushing Sea. 1726 G. Roberts 4 Years Voy. 123 If any Thing gave Way, we could better mend it..by Day. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. (1859) 163 The bashfulness of the guests soon gave way before good cheer and affability. 1849 Tait's Mag. XVI. 269/2 His health gave way to the attacks of disease. Ibid. 316/2 He rung the bell till the rope gave way. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xvi. 116 Once upon a steep hard slope Bennen's footing gave way. 1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos Ser. iii. xxvii. 264 His strength gave way under repeated wounds. 1885 Sir J. Hannen in Law Rep. 10 Prob. Div. 90 Her health evidently gave way soon after her marriage. 1889 Mrs. Kennard Landing a Prize III. ii. 33 Neither knot nor gut gave way under the tremendous strain. 1889 M. Caird Wing 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.

1758 Ld. Kames in 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 Green Short Hist. iii. §2. 120 At the very moment of apparent triumph John suddenly gave way. 1875 Jowett Plato (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.).

[1818: see 49 d.] 1822 Scott Nigel xxxvi, Here the dame was..inclined to give way to a passion of tears. 1880 M{supc}Carthy 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.

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 Edna Lyall Won by Waiting xvii, Her old courage kept her from quite giving way.

    i. Of stocks and shares: To fall in price.

1883 Manch. Exam. 30 Nov. 4/1 Mexican Ordinary at the morning was 11/4 up, but it afterwards gave way, the final price being 65½ ex. div.

    j. Naut. (See quot. 1867.)

1802 Trans. Soc. Arts XX. 327 The steersman should..encourage the rowers to give way. 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast xxv. 79 Give way boys! Give way! Lay out on your oars, and long stroke! 1867 Smyth 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 Stevenson Treas. Isl. xvi. 134 The next moment..we had shoved off and given way.

    XV. Used intr. with prepositions in specialized senses. (See also senses 14 d and 43.)
    † 50. give against ―. To impinge against; to attack, assault, run counter to. Obs.

1646 Earl of Monmouth tr. Biondi's Civill Warres Eng. ii. vi.–ix. 152 They gave against the Standard, slew Sir William Brandon, the Standard-bearer. 1650 ― tr. Senault's Man become Guilty 20 Christian Religion may truly boast, that all her Maxims are Paradoxes, which agreeing with truth, give against humane reason. Ibid. 356 He gives against Gods Providence..who obeys those creatures which are inferiour to him. Ibid. 374 It was very just..that they which fill our Sailes should make our designes give against the rocks.

    † 51. give into ―. [After F. 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 59 b). Obs.

1692 Locke Toleration iii. ii. 69, I began presently to give into your method. 1702 Rowe Tamerl. 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 Addison Italy 96 The Venetians, who are naturally Grave, love to give into the Follies and Entertainments of such Seasons. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. vi. §15 Some things are so manifestly absurd that no authority shall make me give into them. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 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 Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxv. 94 They gave into the snare prepared for them. a 1797 H. Walpole Mem. Geo. II, I. 57 Mr. Pitt gave strongly into a Parliamentary Inquiry. 1825 T. Jefferson Autobiog. Wks. 1859 I. 6 Marshall has given into this error. 1846 McCulloch Acc. Brit. Empire (1854) II. 35 The country bankers gave into the infatuation.

    XVI. Idiomatically combined with adverbs.
    52. give about. † a. trans. To encompass; surround. [translating L. circumdare.] Obs.

1382 Wyclif Ezek. iv. 8 Loo! y ȝaue about [or cumpasside] thee with boondis. 1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Giffe abowtte, circumdare, circumstipare.

    b. To distribute, circulate (writings); to spread (a rumour).

a 1715 Burnet Own Time II. 348 He [Ferguson] gave about most of the pamphlets writ of that side: and with some he passed for the author of them. 1724 Swift Drapier's Lett. Wks. 1755 V. ii. 74 It hath been given about for several days past, that somebody in England empowered a second somebody [etc.].

    53. give again. a. trans. To give back, restore; to give in return. Also † to give againward.

a 1300 Cursor M. 16476 Here i yeld yow yur mone, ges me a-gain mi war. c 1400 A. Davy Dreams 19 No strook ne ȝaf he aȝeinward. 1483 Cath. Angl. 155/1 To Gife a-gayne, redonare. 1530 Palsgr. 566/2, I gyve agayne,..je rens.

    b. intr. To soften; to yield. lit. and fig. Cf. 40 d, e. Obs. exc. dial.

1617 Moryson Itin. iii. 80 Minerall Salt..is..lesse subject to giving againe, then our boiled salt. 1623 Markham Country 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 A 8 γ]. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Give again, to thaw, to yield, of a frost; to relax through damp or fermentation. 1877 Holderness Gloss. s.v., Bread is said to give-ageean when it loses its pristine crispness, and becomes soft and moist.

    54. give away. a. trans. To alienate from oneself by gift; to dispose of as a present, as alms, or in any way gratuitously. Also (usu. in pa. pple.) 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.

a 1400 Sir Perc. 1983 Thou hase giffene thi part of bothe away. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1633) 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 Jer. Taylor Holy Living iv. §3 Charity 249 Love gives away all things that so he may advance the interest of the beloved person. [1709 Atterbury Serm. (1726) II. 227 Whatsoever we employ in Charitable Uses, during our Lives, is given away from ourselves; what we bequeath at our Death is given from others only.] 1831 Brewster Newton (1855) II. xxvii. 411 He used to remark that they who gave away nothing till they died, never gave at all. 1888 Mrs. J. H. Riddell Nun's Curse II. iv. 89 He gave away most of his income. a 1899 Mod. The prices realised were wretchedly low; the goods were almost given away. 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’? 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.

    b. To perform the ceremony of handing over (a bride) to the bridegroom at a marriage.

1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. vii, I..gave her away. 1826 Lamb Elia Ser. ii. Fallacies xiii, The bride..presented to him as her father—the gentleman that was to give her away. 1879 C. M. Yonge Cameos Ser. iv. xx. 215 Mary was given away..by the Marquis of Winchester.

    † c. To sacrifice (another's interests or rights).

1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI, 155 b, Yea, said the capitain, so that you geve away no mannes right, but his, whose aucthoritie you have. 1604 Shakes. Oth. iii. iii. 28 Be merry Cassio, For thy Solicitor shall rather dye, Then giue thy cause away. 1711 C'tess Dorchester in 15th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. 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.

    d. orig. 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 show n.¹ 16.

1878 Scribner's Mag. XV. 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.

    e. To distribute.

1889 Philips & Wills Fatal Phryne I. iii. 59 Then the old vicaire gave away the prizes. 1891 Cornh. Mag. Oct. 393 She gives away tracts, addresses meetings.

    ¶ f. intr. Misused for give way (? = give a way). Latterly U.S.

1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xii. §96. 579 The whole power of the French gaue away, and sought to saue it selfe by flight. 1747 S. Fielding 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) XI. 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 Ibid. (1918) XIII. 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 (Mass.) 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. Soc. 42 The cattle-raising frontier has given away continually to higher stages.

    g. trans. To give up, resign, surrender. rare.

1850 Tennyson In Mem. iv. 1 To Sleep I give my powers away.

    h. Esp. to give it away. To abandon, give up, stop. Austral. slang.

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.

    55. give back. a. trans. (See simple senses and back.) To restore; to surrender again; to reciprocate; to reflect, to echo, etc.

a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1633) 142 With that he gave her back the paper. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. iv. iii. 18 Take, and giue backe affayres. 1709 Prior Despairing Sheph., He gave 'em back their friendly Tears, He sigh'd, but wou'd not speak. a 1732 Atterbury Serm. (J.), 'Till their vices perhaps give back all those advantages which their victories procured. 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.

    † b. intr. To retreat, fall back. Obs. or arch.

1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 218 By reason of whiche succors, kyng Edwardes parte gaue a litle backe. 1597 Daniel Civ. Wars iii. lxxv, Now backe he giues, then rushes-on amaine. 1678 Bunyan Pilgr. i. 108 So they [Fiends] gave back, and came no farther. 1814 Theodora iv. ii, Give back—make way—Room for the prisoner's witness. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. II. iii. 484 Slowly then Did he give back face foremost from the men.

    † c. Of a surface: To recede. Obs.

1723 tr. Le Clerc's Archit. I. 86 The Entablature is sometimes made to give back or retreat a little between the Columns.

    † d. To yield to pressure. Obs.

1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 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 Bunyan Pilgr. i. 185 Christian..began to try at the Dungion door, whose bolt (as he turned the Key) gave back.

    † 56. give by. intr. To stand aside. Obs.

1633 Marmion Fine Comp. v. i, Give by Crochet, till I question them.

    57. give down. trans. Of a cow; To let flow (milk). Also absol.

1699 Dryden Ovid's Met. xv. Fables (1700) 509 And daily to give down the Milk she bred, A Tribute for the Grass on which she fed. 1847 Marryat Childr. N. Forest vi, In the course of ten days she gave down her milk. 1878 Scribner's Mag. XV. 382 Give down! Give down—my crumpled brown!

    58. give forth. † a. trans. To offer; to hold out. Obs.

1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. iii. i. 40 The diuell giueth foorth his hand.

    b. To emit.

a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1633) 122 All the sparkes of vertue..were so blown to giue forth their vttermost heat. 1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede 81 We do not hear that Memnon's statue gave forth its melody at all under the rushing of the mightiest wind. 1878 Scribner's Mag. XVI. 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.

    c. To spread abroad, publish; to report, rumour.

1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 1 He gaue foorth, that hee had not seene any profit to come by any Synode. a 1627 Hayward Edw. VI (1630) 84 Soone after it was giuen forth, and belieued by many that the King was dead. 1629 Brent Counc. Trent 774 By this he was forced to giue foorth his Oration, and sent a copie of it to Rome [etc.]. 1727 Oldmixon Clarendon 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 Fowler Locke iv. 59 Locke..then gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.

    59. give in. a. intr. To yield; to give up the contest; to acknowledge oneself beaten; occas. (colloq.) to admit under pressure of argument (that).

1616 S. Ward Coal from Altar (1627) 16 They tire, giue in, and end in the flesh. a 1627 Hayward Edw. VI (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 Blind Guide iii. 57 You give in..and shew your self..a founder'd disputant. 1805 Sporting Mag. XXVI. 56 According to the boxing phrase, [he] shewed the white feather and gave in. 1873 Mrs. 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 Yng. Musgrave I. xv. 264 The squire won't give in he owns them. 1890 Doyle Firm of Girdlestone xxiii. 262 Nothing..would..bring her to give in upon that point.

    b. To yield to (a habit, fashion, opinion, or person). [Probably originated by a false analysis of give into (see 51) = F. donner dans. (Most of our examples of give into appear in later edd. as give in to.)]

1793 T. Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 483 So far from giving in to this opinion..he was clear the debt was growing on us. 1845–6 Trench Huls. Lect. Ser. ii. i. 160 No doubt there is a temptation to give in to this. 1873 M. Collins Squire Silchester's Whim I. x. 138 You advise me to give in to Louisa on this point? 1882 W. Blades Caxton 87 Caxton never gave in to the new-fangled ideas of printers about the advantage of title-pages to books.

    c. To fail, die off.

1840 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. I. iii. 288 These plants ‘gave in’: and hardly a cane three feet high was left in the following year.

    † d. To intervene. Also, to rush into conflict. Obs.

1610 Healey Vives Comm. St. Aug. Citie of God (1620) 116 In the midst of the fight the women gaue in betwixt the battells. 1640 tr. Verdere's Rom. Rom. I. 139 The gallant Pagan..gave in upon them with the Giants, hoping to break them. 1641 Earl of Monmouth tr. Biondi's Civill Warres I. iv.–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.

    e. trans. 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).

1602 Marston Ant. & Mel. ii. Wks. 1856 I. 27 Pray you give in an epithite for love. 1678 Bunyan Pilgr. (1875) 57 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. 1688 Burnet Lett. Italy 104 Some Accusations were given in to the Inquisitors against him. 1692 Sir W. Hope Fencing Master 4 The figures giving in the thrust are Paried by the figures opposite to them. 1722 De Foe Plague (1884) 132 The..Officers did not give in a full Account. 1879 C. M. Yonge Cameos Ser. iv. x. 118 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. Mod. Names of competitors must be given in before the end of the month.

    f. To bestow in addition.

1886 Mrs. 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.

    g. Of a pugilist: To droop (the head).

1814 Sporting Mag. XLIV. 240 Donnelly shewed evident symptoms of weakness, and gave his head in.

    60. give off. † a. trans. To relinquish; to cease, leave off. Sometimes with inf. as object. Obs.

1595 Shakes. John v. i. 27 Did not the Prophet Say, that before Ascension day at noone, My Crowne I should giue off? 1613 Wither Satyr. Ess. (1615) 232 But yet I must not heere giue off to speake, To tell men wherein I haue found them weake. 1649 Wood Life (O.H.S.) 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 Stackhouse Body Divin. (1776) II. iv. i. §2 The necessity of giving off all intercourse with him.

    † b. intr. To cease; to withdraw, quit the field.

1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. iii. 23 Follow the noyse so farre as we haue quarter. Let's see how it will giue off. 1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. iii. (1701) 119/2 Diodorus without acting any thing memorable, gave off safe. 1692 Locke 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.

    c. trans. To emit, throw off.

1839 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. I. ii. 192 They gave off their moisture to the air. 1861 Temple Bar I. 260 These gases are given off very readily. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 67 Every piece of open water..is constantly giving off vapour.

    d. To send off as a branch.

1831 R. Knox Cloquet's Anat. 681 Near its origin, this artery gives off several branches to the scaleni muscles. 1849 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. X. ii. 580 Arteries..give off many branches. 1870 Rolleston Anim. Life 132 The paired nerves are given off very close to each other.

    61. give on. † a. intr. To make an assault. Obs.

c 1611 Chapman Iliad xvii. 230 The Troians first gaue on. 1646 Earl of Monmouth tr. Biondi's Civill Warres ii. vi.–ix. 152 With Cheerefull countenance he gave on upon the Enemy, and was as cheerefully followed by his men. 1666 Waller Instr. to Paint. 12 Where he Gives on, disposing of their Fates, Terror and Death on His loud Cannon waits. 1667 Dryden Ann. Mirab. cclxxx, He saw the Town's one half in rubbish lie And eager flames give [ed. 2. (1688) drive] on to storm the rest.

    b. = contango v.

1928 [see contango v.]. 1928 Morning Post 19 Nov., He will approach a fellow-member in the House, and say that he wishes to give on 50 shares.

    62. give out. a. trans. 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.

c 1340 Cursor M. 29518 (Cott. Galba) And þat cursyng vnlawful es..þe whilk es gifen out ouer tyte, with-owten ani right respite. 1481 Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 113 And thenne by goddes grace I shal yeue out the sentence and Iugement. 1593 R. Bancroft Daung. Posit. i. vi. 20 They gaue it out..that some were licentious. 1605 Shakes. Macb. v. viii. 8 Thou bloodier Villaine Then tearmes can giue thee out. a 1610 Healey Theophrastus (1636) 27 Hee gives himselfe out to bee Generall of the..knights of the Post. 1688 Burnet Lett. Italy 23 His Followers were given out to be Hereticks. 1726 Adv. 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 Anson's Voy. 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. Exam. 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 Chamb. Jrnl. 7 May 303/2 The factory clock..gave out the hour of three.

    b. To announce (a hymn) to be sung; to read out (the words) for the congregation to sing; † also (see quot. 1825).

1712 Steele Spect. No. 503 ¶2 When the psalm was given out, her voice was distinguished above all the rest. 1825 Danneley Encycl. Mus., 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 Baring-Gould Gaverocks II. xxv. 51 The clerk in church..gave out the psalm.

    c. To send forth, emit; to cause to be sent forth. † Also, to put forth, utter (prayers).

1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 321 O Mary flowre of vyrgyns as rose or lyly, gyue oute prayers to thy sonne for the helthe of crysten people. 1626 Bacon Sylva §388 In Orenges..the Nipping of their Rinde giueth out their Smell more. 1799 Sir H. Davy in T. Beddoes Contrib. Phys. & Med. Knowledge 153 Dr. Ingenhouz discovered that vegetables give out vital air, when exposed to the solar light in contact with water. 1861 Temple Bar III. 178 The gold gave out its red glow. 1884 Illustr. Lond. News 20 Dec. 606/2 It [the explosive apparatus] fell..making a tremendous noise, giving out a huge flash of fire. 1890 Ibid. 26 Apr. 530/1 The carbonic-acid gas and other waste matters you give out with each breath.

    d. To issue; to distribute.

1710 Steele Tatler No. 189 ¶3 Write down what you give out to your Landress, and what she brings Home again. 1724 De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 163 The king gave out arms to them. 1870 tr. Erckmann-Chatrian's Waterloo 160 At the end of twenty minutes the advance money was given out. 1887 Baring-Gould Gaverocks II. xxxiii. 183 Rose had the key of the storeroom, but forgot to give out supplies.

    e. intr. 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.

1523 Fitzherb. Husb. §2 Those plowes gyue out to sodemly, 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 Swift Grand Quest., Madam, I always believ'd you so stout, That for twenty denials you would not give out. 1740 tr. De Mouhy's Fort. 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. XLV. 161 The first in a lark, but the last to give out. 1856 Olmsted 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 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 Mag. XV. 635/1 His strength gave out more than once. 1882 Edna Lyall Donovan xxiv, His eyes have given out, so he won't go up this term. 1890 Lippincott's 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. s.v., 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.

    63. give over. a. trans. To leave off, finish, cease from (an action); to give up, abandon (an attempt, a habit, a mode of life). † Also with inf. as obj.

c 1325 Poem times Edw. II (Percy Soc.) xlvii, Pryde and covetise Gyveth over al jugement, And turneth lawes up and down. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 344 b, Certain persones..saiyng that Demades had now geuen ouer to bee suche an haine, as he had been in tyme past. 1550 Crowley Last Trump. 489 Geue over all thy tippillyng. 1577 Harrison England ii. v. (1877) i. 111 Giuing over in these daies to mainteine such pompous vanitie. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 93 This man..ought not at any hand to giue over his calling, but to perseuere in the same to the end. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. i. ii. 190 We pray you for your owne sake to embrace your own safetie and giue ouer this attempt. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1638) 23 Neither did the Turks thus oppressed, giue it ouer, but..fought it out with inuincible courage. 1636 R. Brathwait Lives Rom. Emp. 161 Why then give over to be Emperour? 1645 Boate Ireland's Nat. Hist. (1652) 98 Before we give over this discours of Lime, we shall adde [etc.]. 1688 Burnet Lett. Italy 38 It was time for people to give over going to Confession. 1708 ― Lett. (ed. 3) 251 Before I give over writing concerning this Place [etc.]. 1711 Addison Spect. 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 Mrs. Manley Power of Love (1741) 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 Eccl. Miracles (1843) 188 One thing then they did: they gave over the contest. 1889 Mrs. Oliphant Poor Gentlem. 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.

    b. absol. or intr. To cease; desist, leave off. † Of a factory: To stop working.

1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 23 Let hym contynue his labour, and neuer gyue ouer. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 7 He offended the Prophet for giuing over then. 1688 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ii. IV. 159 Last week a great Tin⁓work gave over, by which four hundred Tinners are out of Employ. 1741 Middleton 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 377 (E.D.S.) Es..wont be mullad and soulad.—Stand azide, come, gi' o'er. 1840 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. I. iv. 432 He gave over at the end of about six hours, and set to again the next morning. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. & It. Jrnls. I. 251 They ran hastily beside the carriage, but got nothing, and finally gave over.

    † c. trans. To abandon, desert (a person, cause, etc.). Obs.

c 1477 Caxton Jason 65 These knightes of grece abandonne us and gyue us ouer. 1513 Douglas æneis xii. xiii. 66 And now forsuyth, thy will obey sall I, And giffis owr the caus perpetualy. 1663 Butler Hud. i. ii. 506 The Cause, for which we fought and swore So boldly, shall we now give o'er?

    d. To devote, resign, surrender, hand over: (a) with obj. a person, oneself. † Also in pa. pple., ‘left to oneself’, abandoned by God to one's own evil passions.

1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 192 a/2 The chylde marcyal..gafe hym self all ouer unto our lord Jhesu cryste. 1573 J. Sandford Hours Recreat. (1576) 105, I feele y{supt} sleepe will giue me ouer to his sister. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 157 Men given over to beleeve illusions. c 1585 R. Browne Answ. Cartwright 34 The power of the word..to rebuke and giue ouer to execration. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1633) 113 O my Zelmane, gouerne and direct me: for I am wholly giuen ouer vnto thee. 1639 Fuller Holy War i. xvi. (1640) 23 Giving themselves over to pleasure. 1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc. (1650) 142 Should I be so farre given over, as to have my hand in blood..I should [etc.]. 1656 ― Occas. Medit. (1851) 6 Though I have a will of mine own; yet let me give myself ouer to be ruled and ordered by thy Spirit. 1701 Grew Cosm. Sacra iii. iii. §6. 106 When the Babylonians..had given themselves over to all manner of Vice: it was time [etc.]. 1859 Thackeray Virgin. xxiv, Colonel Lambert gave over the young Virginian to Mr. Wolfe's charge. 1870 Rogers Hist. Gleanings Ser. ii. 59 Oxford is given over to heretical depravity. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus xi. 17 Live on yet, still given o'er to nameless Lords. 1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos Ser. iii. x. 87 They worked up their fury against the traitor Bishop who..wanted to give them over to the Pope.

    (b) with obj. a thing.

1481 Caxton Godefroy clxxxv. 272 The turkes..were disconfyted and gaf ouer the toures. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 107 It was of him demaunded, whether he should be slaine, or be deposed, or should voluntarily geve over the crowne? 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. ii. iv. (1651) 272 Dioclesian..gave over his scepter, and turned gardiner. 1889 Doyle M. Clarke xxi. 201 Bearing with me the small package which Sir Jacob Clancing had given over to my keeping.

    e. To pronounce incurable as far as concerns the speaker. Now rare. (Cf. give up, 64 h.)

1530 Palsgr. 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 Drayton Idea lxi, Now if thou would'st, when all haue giuen him ouer, From Death to Life, thou might'st him yet recouer. a 1641 Suckling Fragm. Aurea (1648) 54 Since it is lawfull for every man to practise upon them that are forsaken and given over..I will adventure to prescribe to you. c 1696 Prior Remedy worse than Dis., I sent for Ratcliffe; was so ill, That other doctors gave me over. 1746 Berkeley 2nd 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 Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863) 166 Who had been ill of a fever, and given over by her physician.

    f. To abandon the hope of seeing, finding, overtaking, etc. Also, to give over for (dead, lost): see for 19 b. ? Obs.

1674 tr. Martiniere's Voy. N. Countries 66 They gave us over for lost. 1678 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 47 When the Doctors have given him over for dead. 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. xiii. 274 Having seen nothing of our boat, we gave her over for lost. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scandal v. ii, Sir Peter, you are come in good time, I promise you; for we had just given you over. 1797 Coleridge Lett. (1895) 15, I was now almost given over, the ponds, and even the river, near where I was lying, having been dragged. 1830 H. Angelo Remin. I. 218 His friends..had given him over for lost.

    † g. To give in, yield (to). Obs.

1530 Palsgr. 565/1, I geve over, as a man dothe that is overcome, I yelde in a mate, je succumbe..and je me rens. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 57 He..was content to geve over to the kinges request.

    h. intr. To give way, give oneself up. rare.

1892 Harper's Mag. July 299 The big female gives over to despair.

    64. give up. a. trans. To resign, surrender; to hand over, part with. Const. with dat. or to. (a) with obj. a thing. † Also ellipt., to yield (precedence) to.

1154 O.E. Chron. an. 1132 [He] sende efter him & dide him ȝyuen up ðe abbotrice of Burch. a 1400–50 Alexander 813 Than þai gave hym vp þe ȝerd & yolden þe realme. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lix. 203 Whan Iuoryn & Galaffer saw that the towne was gyuen vp by the frenchemen they enteryd in to it. a 1601 ? Marston Pasquil & Kath. i. 105 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 Berkeley Alciphr. iv. §18 This is in fact to give up the point in dispute. 1781 Hist. Eur. in Ann. Reg. 25/1 The fort was given up, and the garrison surrendered. 1800 tr. Lagrange's Chem. I. 214 When the nitrous gas is all decomposed, it gives up its oxygen to the pyrophorus, and burns it. 1823 Mirror I. 68/1 At table all gave up to Tom For handling knife or fork. 1838 Lytton Alice 19 She could not give up her canaries. 1886 Law Times Rep. LIII. 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 obj. 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 refl. to yield (to evidence, etc.).

a 1568 R. Ascham Scholem. i. (Arb.) 81 They geuing themselues vp to vanitie. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iv. vi. 32 All my mother came into mine eyes, And gaue me vp to teares. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 108 ¶7 His Parents gave him up at length to his own Inventions. Ibid. 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 De Foe Plague (1884) 221 They gave themselves up, and..abandon'd themselves to..Despair. 1803 Pic Nic No. 13 (1806) II. 210 They gave themselves up to Credulity. 1852 Thackeray Esmond ii. i, He went to give himself up at the prison. 1872 C. E. Maurice S. Langton ii. 121 He gave himself up unhesitatingly to the guidance of Innocent.

    b. 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 ellipt., to give up (friendship) with.

1558 W. Towrson in Hakluyt Voy. (1589) 129 Hauing taken out the artillerie, goods, victuals, and gold..We gaue her vp 25 degrees by north the line. 1697 Collier Ess. ii. Despair 123 Such an Expectation..will never come to pass: Therefore I'll e'en give it up, and go and fret my self. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 478 ¶2 Providence in this case makes use of the folly which we will not give up. a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1823) I. 518 He indeed pressed me to give up with Sir Robert Murray. 1748 Anson's Voy. iii. viii. 380 They gave up the contest. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. ii. iii, 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 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 433 The medical attendants had given up all hope. 1851 H. Martineau 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 IV. 553 Match-making mammas gave him up as a bad job. 1870 Rogers Hist. Gleanings Ser. ii. 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. 29 Ch. Div. 476 The first ground of complaint put forth in the pleadings..has been virtually given up. 1889 Doyle M. Clarke xxxii. 359 It was so hopeless to clean them that I gave it up in despair. 1894 Law Times XCVII. 388/1 He was asked..whether he would not now be compelled to give up Sunday School work.

    c. intr. To leave off; to cease from effort, leave off trying; to stop. Also, to succumb.

1611 Shakes. Cymb. ii. ii. 46 She hath bin reading late, The Tale of Tereus, heere the leaffe's turn'd downe Where Philomel gaue vp. 1714 Swift Pres. St. Aff. Wks. 1755 II. i. 209 They have been..very near giving up in despair. 1827 D. Johnson Indian Field Sports 195, I had killed about a hundred, when I thought it high time to give up, as evening was near approaching. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xix, My mother gave up in despair. 1862 Temple Bar V. 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 Longm. Mag. Jan. 264 He..was engaged as accountant and collector, but lost his place because the firm gave up.

    d. trans. To devote entirely to; to abandon, addict to. Chiefly with reflexive pron. as obj.

1604 Shakes. Oth. ii. iii. 322 He hath deuoted, and giuen vp himselfe to the Contemplation..of her parts and graces. 1650 Jer. Taylor Holy Living iv. §1 Faith 229 To give ourselves wholly up to Christ in heart and desire. 1673 Stillingfl. Def. Disc. Rom. Idol. (J.), If any be given up to believe lyes, some must be first given up to tell them. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 79 ¶9, I know a Lady so given up to this sort of Devotion, that..she never misses one constant Hour of Prayer. a 1748 Watts (J.), 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 Rogers Hist. Gleanings Ser. ii. 149 These men gave themselves up to..debauchery. 1883 Gilmour Mongols xviii. 213 Before Buddhism came to them, they were in ignorance and darkness, given up to deeds of superstition and cruelty. 1885 Mrs. E. Lynn Linton C. 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.

    † e. To deliver, render, give in (an account, etc.): to present (a petition, etc.). Obs.

1414 in Rot. Parl. IV. 22 Or the Petitions biforesaid yeven up yn writyng. 1559 Sandys Let. to Parker Apr. in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. viii. 114 They were forced..to give up a confession of their faith. 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 53 So shall you..giue vp a good account of your stewardship. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. iv. 189 What lawfull Quest haue giuen their Verdict vp Vnto the frowning Iudge? 1611 Bible 2 Sam. xxiv. 9 And Joab gaue vp the summe of the number of the people vnto the king. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 466 They..give up these Supplications, written in the leaves of a tree. 1647 Hammond Power of Keys iv. 85 [They] have..defamed that Christian Profession, to which they had given up their names. 1673 Essex Papers (Camden) I. 72 A resolution never to give up my consent to any thing that in my conscience I know to be notoriously inconvenient. 1701 Swift Contests Nobles & Comm. Miscell. (1711) 27 His Accounts were confused, and he could not then give them up. 1705 Atterbury Serm. (1726) II. 57 'Tis not hard to imagine how he may be brought to give up the clearest Evidence.

    f. To emit, breathe forth; to utter (a cry). Obs. exc. in phr. to give up the ghost: see ghost n. 1.

c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1569 It gan al the temple for to lighte; And sweete smel the ground anon vp yaf. ― Merch. T. 1120 Vp he yaf a roryng and a cry As dooth the mooderwhan the child shal dye. 1557 North tr. Gueuara's Diall Pr. 231 b/2 Oftentymes they haue lost their sences, and are readye to geue vp the spirite. 1602 Marston Ant. & Mel. iii. Wks. 1856 I. 37 His credit hath given up the last gaspe. 1606 ― Sophonisba iv. i. Ibid. 198 Now even heaven Gives up his soule amongst us. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 95 And they shew the place where the Saint gave up his last breath.

    g. To divulge, reveal. † Also, to disclose the name of.

a 1625 Beaum. & Fl. Queen Corinth i. iii, Ile not stale them By giving up their characters. 1757 Foote Author i. Wks. 1799 I. 136, I never gave up but one author in my life, and he was dying of a consumption, so it never came to a trial. 1890 Lippincott's Mag. May 628 We do not give up the names of our contributors.

    h. (a) To pronounce (a person) incurable, (a puzzle) insoluble as far as concerns the speaker. (Cf. give over, 63 e.) (b) To renounce the hope of seeing. (c) to give up for (lost), etc.: see for 19 b.

1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. (Arb.) 285 The Phisitions had all giuen him vp. 1841 Dickens Barn. Rudge viii, It's so late, we gave you up. 1844 J. T. J. Hewlett Parsons & W. l, Conundrums..invented and answered, or given up. 1861 Temple Bar I. 564 ‘When's a man not a man?’..‘Give it up.’ 1883 M. E. Mann Parish 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 Mag. Mar. 385 He..had given himself up for lost. 1890 Cornh. Mag. May 469 [Their] breadwinner is at sea, ‘given up’ at Lloyd's.

    i. With on: to lose one's belief or trust in (something); to forsake or abandon. colloq. (orig. U.S.).

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.

    ☛ Phrase-key.
    Give me (expressing preference), 3 c; give me myself, 39 c; give ye (= by your leave), 39 b; given pa. pple. (= dated) 19, (= dowered) 30, (= posited) 32; and see given ppl. a.; my heart gives me, it gives me, 22; the weather gives, 40 e; one would give ―, 9 c; g about, 52; g again, 53; g against, 50; g oneself airs, 37 c; g and bequeath, g and devise, 4; g answer, 16; g arms, 24; g one as good as he brings, 9 b; g at, 14 d; g (an) attempt, 15; g away, 54; g back, 55; g a back, 21; g (one) best, 39; g birth to, 44; g a blessing, 16; g a broadside, 14 c; g by, 56; g the case (for or against), 18 b; g one's compliments, 6 d; g a date (to), 41; g a day, 30 b; g down, 57; g (one) his due, 9 b; g one's ears, 9 c; g (an) end (to), 41; g (an) example, 23; g fire (to), 14 c, 41; g for (= account as), 31 b; g for granted, 31 c; g forth, 58; g a give, or gift, 8; g (one) good morning, etc., 17; g ground, 45; g a gun, 14 c; g one's honour, 8; g in, 59; g in charge, 7; g in hand, 5, 41; g in marriage, 5; g into, 43, 51; g into custody, into the hands of, 7; g it, 46; g it (for or against), 18 b; g (one) joy, 17; g one's kind regards, one's love, 6 d; g little of, 9 d; g one's mind to, 13; g a name, 30 b, 28 b; g nought of, 9 d; g off, 60; g on, 14 d, 43, 61; g on to, 43; g order, 16; g out, 62; g (a batsman) out, 18 b; g over, 63; g (one) his own, 9 b; g part, 29; g a period (to), 41; g (one) a piece of one's mind, 29; g place, 47; g the point, 14 b; g a price, 34; g rise to, 48; g a Roland for an Oliver, 9 b; g a shot, 14 c; g show, g a sign, 23; g a stop (to), 41; g the time of day, 17; g (one) to believe, to understand, etc., 29 c; g to keep, 7; g to lot, 30; g to reflect, to think, 38; g to the world, to the public, 29 b; g tribute, 10; g up, 64; g upon, 14 d, 43; g a volley, 14 c; g way, 49; g (oneself) wonder, 37 c; g one's word, 8; g (good or bad) words (to), 16; g the world, 9 c; g one the worse, 37.
    For many other phrases, as give account (of), (the) adventure n., aim, (the) alarm, one's arm, (an) assault, attention, the bag, battle, a (good, wide) berth n. to, (a) charge, the charge of, chase, the cold shoulder, consent, countenance, credence, credit, the dor, ear, effect to, (an) ensample, evidence, an eye to, (one's) faith, gate (to), the gleek, the go-by, a guess, (one's) hands, (one) his head, heed, law, leave, the lie, (a) loose to, the meeting, the mitten n., one's mind to, mouth, notice, occasion, offence, points, promise, quarter, the reins to, the sack, satisfaction, the slip, suck, thanks, tongue, utterance (to), vent, (the) venture, a visit, the wall, warning, etc., see under the different words.
    
    

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     ▸ trans. Brit. slang. to give (someone) one: (a) to kiss (someone) (rare); (b) to have sexual intercourse with (someone); esp. used depreciatively among men when discussing a (past or prospective) sexual partner.
    Although quot. c 1882 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.

[a 1625J. Fletcher Woman's 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.] c 1882 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. 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!

    
    

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     ▸ 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.

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.

    
    

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     ▸ trans. colloq. (orig. U.S.). to give it up: (of an audience, etc.) to applaud; to show appreciation for an entertainer, etc. Usu. in imper., esp. as an exhortation by a compère. Cf. to give (or get, etc.) a big (or good) hand at hand n.¹ 15.

1990Re: 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.

▪ IV. give
    obs. form of gyve, if.