giver
(ˈgɪvə(r))
Forms: α. 4 ȝyvere, 4–5 ȝever, yever(e, -our. β. 4 gifer, 4–6 gevar, -ear, -er, -our, gyver(e, giff-, gyfer, 5–6 Sc. giffar, 4– giver.
[f. give v. + -er1, = OHG. kebari (MHG. and G. geber), MDu. gevere, Du. gever, Sw. gifvare, Dan. giver.]
One who gives, in senses of the vb.; a bestower, distributor, donor, grantor. Often preceded by a n. as object, as alms-, example-, law-, light-, etc. giver.
| α 1340 Ayenb. 95 Þeruore is ariȝt þe holy gost propre⁓liche yefþe and yevere vor he him yefþ and is y yeve. 1382 Wyclif 2 Cor. ix. 7 God loueth a glad ȝyuere. c 1449 Pecock Repr. 552 The ȝeuers trustiden that the receyuers wolden expende thilk good vertuoseli. 1483 Act 1 Rich. III c. i. §1 The Sellers feffours yevours or grauntours. |
| β a 1300 Cursor M. 28804, I to þe was first giuer. a 1340 Hampole Psalter i. 3 God lufis wele cherid gifers. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. vii. 70 He that beggeth..but if he haue nede..he bigileth the gyuere [A. viii. 72 the ȝiuere]. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4368 God loues a gyfer glade. 1552 Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884) 15 The haly spreit is giffar of all halynes. 1667 Milton P.L. v. 317 Well we may afford Our givers thir own gifts. c 1704 Prior Henry & Emma 211 The gift still prais'd, the giver still unknown. 1809 N. Pinkney Trav. France 11 Though they cost little to the giver, are not the less valuable to the receiver. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. xiii, I returned it [a blow] to the giver, and with good interest too. 1868 W. Whitman Chants Democr. i. Poems 67 The fresh free giver, the flowing Missouri. 1884 Athenæum 25 Oct. 540 Givers of Dinners, Balls, and At Homes. |
b. with
adv., as
giver-in,
giver out.
| 1885 Instr. to Census Clerks 68 Cotton Manufacture. Looming and Taping Room:..Giver-in. Odd Hands:..Weft Giver-out. |