n. & v.
--n.
1. a a beehive. b the bees in a hive.
2 a busy swarming place.
3 a swarming multitude.
4 a thing shaped like a hive in being domed.
--v.
1. tr. a place (bees) in a hive. b house (people etc.) snugly.
2 intr. a enter a hive. b live together like bees.
Phrases and idioms:
hive off
1. separate from a larger group.
2 a form into or assign (work) to a subsidiary department or company. b denationalize or privatize (an industry etc.). hive up hoard.
Etymology: OE hyf f. Gmc