Middle English Dictionary Entry
tā̆ven v.
Entry Info
| Forms | tā̆ven v. |
| Etymology | Prob. ON: cp. Norw. tava to toil vainly & MnE dial. tave (chiefly Northern) to struggle, toil. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To struggle energetically, wrestle; (b) to suck greedily.
Associated quotations
a
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2061 : And he myȝt be take, he shuld do me gre; Sith yee of hym be sesid, howe evir so yee taue, Let hym nevir pas til I myne eyen have.
b
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)85/401 : Þe childe soght by cours of kinde Efter þe fude, þe pap to finde, Sethin it swelid and turned & tauyd; Þe fader fel and for reuth raued.