Definition of give
gave
play
\ˈgāv\;
given
play
\ˈgi-vən\;
giving
transitive verb
1
:to make a present of
- give a doll to a child
2 a
:to grant or bestow by formal action
- the law gives citizens the right to vote
b
:to accord or yield to another
- gave him her confidence
3 a
:to put into the possession of another for his or her use
- gave me his phone number
b (1)
:to administer as a sacrament
(2)
:to administer as a medicine
c
:to commit to another as a trust or responsibility and usually for an expressed reason
d
:to transfer from one's authority or custody
- the sheriff gave the prisoner to the warden
e
:to execute and deliver
- all employees must give bond
f
:to convey to another
- give them my regards
4 a
:to offer to the action of another :proffer
- gave her his hand
b
:to yield (oneself) to a man in sexual intercourse
5 a
:to present in public performance
- give a concert
b
:to present to view or observation
- gave the signal to start
6
:to provide by way of entertainment
- give a party
7
:to propose as a toast
8 a
:to designate as a share or portion :allot
- all the earth to thee and to thy race I give
- —John Milton
b
:to make assignment of (a name)
c
:to set forth as an actual or hypothetical datum
- give the dimensions of the room
d
:to attribute in thought or utterance :ascribe
- gave the credit to you
9 a
:to yield as a product, consequence, or effect :produce
- cows give milk
- 84 divided by 12 gives 7
b
:to bring forth :bear
11 a
:to deliver by some bodily action
- gave him a push
b
:to carry out (a movement, facial expression, etc.)
- gave a cynical smile
c
:to inflict as punishment
d
:to award by formal verdict
- judgment was given against the plaintiff
12
:to offer for consideration, acceptance, or use
- gives no reason for his absence
13 a
:to suffer the loss of :sacrifice
- gallantly gave his life for his country
b
:to offer as appropriate or due especially to something higher or more worthy
- gave his spirit to God
c
:to apply freely or fully :devote
- gave themselves to their work
d
:to offer as a pledge
- I give you my word
14 a
:to cause one to have or receive
- mountains always gave him pleasure
b
:to cause a person to catch by contagion, infection, or exposure
15 a
:to allow one to have or take
- give me time
b
:to lead or attempt to lead
—used with an infinitive
- you gave me to understand you'd be late
16
:to care to the extent of
- didn't give a hoot
intransitive verb
1
:to make gifts or presents
- gave generously to charities
2 a
:to yield to physical force or strain
b
:to collapse from the application of force or pressure
- The canvas chair gave under her weight.
c
:to undergo or submit to change
- for the strike to be settled, something has to give
3
:to afford a view or passage :open
- the window gives onto the terrace
4
:to enter wholeheartedly into an activity
5
slang
:to be happening
- wants to know what gives
—
give birth
:to have a baby
- gave birth last Thursday
—
give birth to
1
:to produce as offspring
- gave birth to a son
2
:to be the source of
—
give chase
:to set off in pursuit
—
give of
:to make available :provide generously
- freely gave of their time
—
give or take
:as an estimate accurate within (an amount to be added or subtracted)
- weighs 150 pounds, give or take a few pounds
—
give place to
:to be replaced or succeeded by
- optimism gave place to worry
—
give the gun
:to open the throttle of :speed up
—
give the lie to
1
:to accuse of falsehood
2
:to show to be false, inaccurate, or invalid
—
give tongue
of hounds
:to begin barking on the scent
—
give way
1 a
:retreat
b
:to yield the right of way
2
:to yield oneself without restraint or control
3 a
:to yield to or as if to physical stress
- The roof gave way under heavy snow.
b
:to yield to entreaty or insistence
- After several hours of debate, the opposition finally gave way.
4
:to yield place
- Farmland has given way to shopping malls.
5
:to begin to row
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