Hove Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Add to dictionary

hove

[həʊv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

to rise

To hove means to rise or be lifted up. It is often used in nautical contexts to describe the motion of a ship. The term can imply a gentle or gradual lifting action. In some contexts, it also suggests a coming to a stop or a pause after movement.

Synonyms

hover, lift, rise.

Examples of usage

  • The ship hove into view on the horizon.
  • As the tide rose, the boat began to hove.
  • They hove to wait for better weather before setting sail.
Context #2 | Verb

nautical term

In nautical terminology, to hove means to bring a ship to a stop or to anchor it. It is often used in conjunction with the phrase 'hove to', meaning to maneuver a vessel into a position where it is stable.

Synonyms

anchor, moor, stop.

Examples of usage

  • The captain ordered the crew to hove the boat.
  • We hove to avoid the storm.
  • After anchoring, they hove to enjoy the view.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • The term appears in various works of poetry, illustrating movement and aspiration, often comparing it to things like boats on a water body.
  • Famous authors have used 'hove' to evoke imagery of airiness or lightness, enriching their narratives.

Science

  • In physics, the term relates to buoyancy, where objects like boats or balloons are lifted by fluid or gas.
  • Understanding how things 'hove'—or rise gently—can explain phenomena in fluid dynamics and aerodynamics.

Pop Culture

  • In many songs and poems, 'hove' is metaphorically used to describe aspirations and hopes lifting someone above their difficulties.
  • The usage in maritime films often illustrates the beauty and struggle of vessels hove to in storms.

Psychology

  • The sensation of something hoving can relate to feelings of longing or the desire to rise above challenges.
  • Symbolism in dreams may include hove to signify a need for freedom or a change in one's life circumstances.

Origin of 'hove'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'hove' comes from the Old English 'hófian,' which means to rise or to hover.
  • In maritime contexts, it has been used since the 15th century to describe how ships lift or rise in the water.

The word 'hove' has its origins in Old English 'hyfan', which means to lift or raise. It is commonly used in maritime contexts, evolving over the centuries to describe the movements of vessels on the water. The term has its roots in the Gothic 'huhwjan', meaning to hoist or lift, which also contributes to its meaning in modern English. The usage of 'hove' has been prevalent among sailors and in nautical literature, where it plays a critical role in the navigation and handling of ships.