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Webster 1913 Edition


Gyve

Gyve

(jīv)
,
Noun.
[Of Celtic origin; cf. W.
gefyn
, Ir.
geibhionn
, Gael.
geimheal
.]
A shackle; especially, one to confine the legs; a fetter.
[Written also
give
.]
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted
gyves
.
Shakespeare
With
gyves
upon his wrist.
Hood.

Gyve

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Gyved
(jīvd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Gyving
.]
To fetter; to shackle; to chain.
Spenser.

Webster 1828 Edition


Gyve

GYVE

,
Noun.
Gyves are fetters or shackles for the legs.
Gyves and the mill had tamed thee.

GYVE

,
Verb.
T.
To fetter; to shackle; to chain.

Definition 2024


gyve

gyve

English

Alternative forms

Noun

gyve (plural gyves)

  1. A shackle or fetter, especially for the leg.
    • Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
      Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves
    • 1973, Kyril Bonfiglioli, Don't Point That Thing at Me, Penguin 2001, page 122
      Our gyves were removed and our possessions returned to us, except for my Banker's Special.

Verb

gyve (third-person singular simple present gyves, present participle gyving, simple past and past participle gyved)

  1. to shackle, fetter, chain
    • 1864, “A Fast-Day at Foxden”, in Atlantic Monthly Journal, HTML edition, The Gutenberg Project, published 2006:
      "Say, rather, to melt the iron links which gyve soul to body," said Clifton ...
    • 2008, LD Brodsky, “A Devotee of the Southern Way of Making Love”, in Sheri L. Vadermolen, editor, The Complete Poems of Louis Daniel Brodsky: Volume Four, 1981-1985, Time Being Books, ISBN 9781568091242, page 419:
      Gyved to a squeaky swivel seat in my office, …

Translations

Derived terms