Rove

Rove, n. The act of wandering; a ramble.

In thy nocturnal rove one moment halt.

Rove beetle (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of beetles of the family Staphylinidæ, having short elytra beneath which the wings are folded transversely. They are rapid runners, and seldom fly.

Rove (rōv), n. 1. A copper washer upon which the end of a nail is clinched in boat building.

2. A roll or sliver of wool or cotton drawn out and slighty twisted, preparatory to further process; a roving.

Rove (rōv), v. t. [perhaps fr. or akin to reeve.] 1. To draw through an eye or aperture.

2. To draw out into flakes; to card, as wool. Jamieson.

3. To twist slightly; to bring together, as slivers of wool or cotton, and twist slightly before spinning.

Rove, v. t. 1. To wander over or through.

Roving the field, I chanced
A goodly tree far distant to behold.

2. To plow into ridges by turning the earth of two furrows together.

Rove, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Roved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Roving.] [Cf. D. rooven to rob; akin to E. reave. See Reave, Rob.] 1. To practice robbery on the seas; to wander about on the seas in piracy. [Obs.] Hakluyt.

2. Hence, to wander; to ramble; to rauge; to go, move, or pass without certain direction in any manner, by sailing, walking, riding, flying, or otherwise.

For who has power to walk has power to rove.

3. (Archery) To shoot at rovers; hence, to shoot at an angle of elevation, not at point-blank (rovers usually being beyond the point-blank range).

Fair Venus' son, that with thy cruel dart
At that good knight so cunningly didst rove.

Syn. -- To wander; roam; range; ramble stroll.