give over

verb

gave over; given over; giving over; gives over

transitive verb

1
: cease
2
3
a
: to yield without restraint or control : abandon
gave themselves over to laughter
b
: to set apart for a particular purpose or use
4
archaic : to pronounce incurable

intransitive verb

British : to cease an activity : stop
told him to give over and let me aloneBrendan Behan

Examples of give over in a Sentence

his wife suggested that he give over working such long hours if it was making him so unhappy gave over his entire savings to an investor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its northern half had been given over to mining ventures. Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 But why give over so much of the film to scenes of the three leads just touring through Europe in the lead-up to the attack? Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 The note in the Jan. 18 robbery demanded that the teller give over $10,000 in $100 and $50 bills. Doha Madani, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 Everyone just gave over their email and password and stuff. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for give over 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of give over was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near give over

Cite this Entry

“Give over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20over. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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