tave

intransitive verb

ˈtāv
dialectal, British
: to thrash or toss wildly : struggle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taven, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian tava to toil fruitlessly

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near tave

Cite this Entry

“Tave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tave. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!