v. roved, rov·ing, roves v.intr. 1. To wander about, especially over a wide area; roam. See Synonyms at wander. 2. To be directed without apparent purpose; look in an idle or casual manner: His gazed roved over the faces in the crowd. v.tr. 1. To roam or wander around, over, or through: Vikings roved the seas. 2. To look at or around (an area) in an idle or casual manner: Her eyes roved the room. n. An act of wandering about, over, around, or through. [Middle English roven, to shoot arrows at a mark.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
tr.v. roved, rov·ing, roves 1. To card (wool). 2. To put (fibers) through an eye or opening. 3. To stretch and twist (fibers) before spinning; ravel out. n. See roving. [Origin unknown.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.