Hover

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.