purvey

verb

pur·​vey (ˌ)pər-ˈvā How to pronounce purvey (audio)
ˈpər-ˌvā
purveyed; purveying

transitive verb

1
: to supply (something, such as provisions) usually as a matter of business
2

Examples of purvey in a Sentence

a shop purveying handmade merchandise
Recent Examples on the Web Now the couple is leveling up again, leaving Glendale for a 12,500-square-foot space in Atwater Village with three galleries and a shop purveying books and editions. Michael Slenske, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024 Today, that legacy lives on in the city’s numerous artisanal shops that purvey handmade textiles, pottery, and other traditional goods. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023 This is not the first time that Musk has purveyed antisemitism on X. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2023 Their harmonies purvey a particularly conversational appeal on this warm, easygoing track about briefly leaving the grind of road life behind for contented morning moments with a lover. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2023 And so what this may open up is additional litigation about exactly what those businesses are that are purveying something that involves speech. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 July 2023 The corporations purveying these services are thriving in a context of obscurity and regulatory neglect. WIRED, 22 June 2023 La Iberia, a haberdashery opened in 1937 by José Maria Vázquez, purveyed American brands like Van Heusen. John Freeman Gill, New York Times, 2 June 2023 These platforms work overtime to hijack our attention by purveying information that arouses curiosity, outrage, or anger. Anastasia Kozyreva, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'purvey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English purveien, from Anglo-French purveier, purveer to look at, foresee, provide, from Latin providēre to provide

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near purvey

Cite this Entry

“Purvey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purvey. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

purvey

verb
pur·​vey (ˌ)pər-ˈvā How to pronounce purvey (audio)
ˈpər-ˌvā
purveyed; purveying
: to supply usually as a business
purveyance
-ən(t)s
noun
purveyor
-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on purvey

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