Hov"er, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Hovered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Hovering.] [OE. hoveren, and hoven, prob. orig.,
to abide, linger, and fr. AS. hof house; cf. OFries.
hovia to receive into one's house. See Hovel.]
1. To hang fluttering in the air, or on the
wing; to remain in flight or floating about or over a place or
object; to be suspended in the air above something.
Great flights of birds are hovering about the
bridge, and settling on it.
Addison.
A hovering mist came swimming o'er his
sight.
Dryden.
2. To hang about; to move to and fro near a
place, threateningly, watchfully, or irresolutely.
Agricola having sent his navy to hover on the
coast.
Milton.
Hovering o'er the paper with her
quill.
Shak.Hov"er (?), n. [Etymol. doubtful.]
A cover; a shelter; a protection. [Archaic] Carew.
C. Kingsley.