I. ˈhēv verb
( heaved or hove ˈhōv ; heav·ing )
Etymology: Middle English heven, from Old English hebban; akin to Old High German hevan to lift, Latin capere to take
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. obsolete : elevate
2. : lift , raise
heaved the trunk onto the table
3. : throw , cast
heaving rocks
4.
a. : to cause to swell or rise
b. : to displace (as a rock stratum) especially by a fault
5. : to utter with obvious effort or with a deep breath
heave a sigh of relief
6. : haul , draw
intransitive verb
1. : labor , struggle
2. : retch
3.
a. : to rise and fall rhythmically
b. : pant
4.
a. : pull , push
heaving on a rope
b. : to move a ship in a specified direction or manner
c. past usually hove : to move in an indicated way
the ship hove into view
5. : to rise or become thrown or raised up
Synonyms: see lift
• heav·er noun
•
- heave to
II. noun
Date: circa 1571
1.
a. : an effort to heave or raise
b. : hurl , cast
2. : an upward motion : rising ; especially : a rhythmical rising
3. : horizontal displacement especially by the faulting of a rock
4. plural but singular or plural in construction : chronic pulmonary emphysema of the horse resulting in difficult expiration, heaving of the flanks, and a persistent cough