I. ro·ver ˈrōvə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle Dutch rover robber, plunderer, from roven to rob + -er; akin to Old English rēafian to reave — more at reave
: pirate
the accumulated loot of all the sea rovers — H.E.Rieseberg
II. rov·er noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from roven to shoot at random, wander + -er — more at rove
1.
a. : a random mark at an uncertain distance used as a target in archery — usually used in plural
in shooting at rovers the archer whose arrow comes nearest the mark selects the next target
b. : one of a series of fixed marks at long range
c. : a strong arrow used in shooting at rovers
d. : an archer shooting at rovers
2. : one that wanders: as
a. : a habitual roamer : traveler , stray
as much night life … as any vacation rover can safely stand — C.L.Biemiller
cattle, some rovers always excepted … remain on a given range — J.F.Dobie
b. : flirt , masher
my true love's a rover — Edna S. V. Millay
c. chiefly Britain : a boy scout over 17 years old who takes part in advanced scouting activities
d. : an architectural molding that follows a curve
e. usually capitalized : coloradan — used as a nickname
3.
a. or rover ball : a croquet ball that has been through all the wickets and would be out if it hit the stake but is continued in play
b. : the player of a rover ball
•
- at rovers
III. rov·er noun
( -s )
Etymology: rove (VII) + -er
: one that makes roving
IV. rover noun
: a vehicle for exploring the surface of an extraterrestrial body (as the moon or Mars)