▪ I. gove, v. Sc.
(gəʊv)
Also 4–6 gowe, 6 gofe, goif, goyf, 8 gauve, 8–9 goave.
[Of obscure origin: connexion with gow, gaw v., of similar meaning, cannot be traced.]
1. intr. To gaze, stare; to stare stupidly.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Thomas 82 And mete & drink vald nocht assay, bot to þe hewine ves govand ay. Ibid. 7 Sleperis 329 A-bout hyme fast þan gowit he, gyf he mycht ony þane se. 1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. iii. xx, Thus in a stair, quhy standis thow stupifak, Gouand all day. 1508 Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 287 Apon the galland for to goif it gladit me agane. 1513 Douglas æneis v. vi. 136 Than leuch that riall prence on hym to goif. c 1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) 56 The blenkyne of ane e Ay gart the goif and glaik. 1728 Ramsay 2nd Answ. Somervile 35 Nae mair they'd gaunt and gove away, Or sleep or loiter out the day. 1786 Burns Interview Ld. Daer iv, How he star'd and stammer'd, When goavan, as if led wi' branks..He in the parlour hammer'd. 1813 Hogg Queen's Wake, Kilmeny (1814) 187 The wild beasts of the forest came And goved around, charmed and amazed. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 150 A tumbler at a fair, Whair thousands round him goave and stare. 1894 Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet 44 The dull cattle that ‘goved’ upon her. |
2. trans. ‘To examine; to investigate’ (Jam.).
| 1513 Douglas æneis viii. iv. 68 Sic way he wrocht that, quha thair tred lyst gove, Na takynnys suld convoy thaim to his cove. |
▪ II. gove
obs. form of goave v.
▪ III. gove
obs. and dial. pa. tense of give v.