drove

¹

[ drohv ]

verb

1. simple past tense of drive.

drove

²

[ drohv ]

noun

1. a number of oxen, sheep, or swine driven in a group; herd; flock.
2. Usually droves. a large crowd of human beings, especially in motion:

   They came to Yankee Stadium in droves.

3. Also called drove chis·el. Masonry. a chisel, from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) broad at the edge, for dressing stones to an approximately true surface.

verb (used with or without object)

, droved, drov·ing.

1. to drive or deal in (cattle) as a drover; herd.
2. Masonry. to work or smooth (stone) as with a drove.

drove

¹

/ drəʊv /

noun

1. a herd of livestock being driven together
2. often plural a moving crowd of people
3. a narrow irrigation channel
4. Also calleddrove chisel a chisel with a broad edge used for dressing stone

verb

1. 1. tr to drive (a group of livestock), usually for a considerable distance
   2. intr to be employed as a drover
2. to work (a stone surface) with a drove

drove

²

/ drəʊv /

verb

1. the past tense of drive

Word History and Origins

Origin of drove¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English drāf “that which is driven,” i.e., “herd, flock”; akin to drive

Word History and Origins

Origin of drove¹

Old English drāf herd; related to Middle Low German drēfwech cattle pasture; see drive , drift

Synonym Study

See flock ¹.

Example Sentences

Smith initially said she was carjacked at late at night and that a man drove away with her car.

From BBC

Theatergoers, however, turned out in droves for a show that gave them that old fashioned musical feeling.

From Los Angeles Times

A man who drove four teenagers on a revenge mission that led to two best friends being murdered has been jailed for life.

From BBC

Competition in the budget travel market has been rising and Spirit has also been forced to ground aircraft as a result of mechanical issues with some engines, which drove up operating costs.

From BBC

Part 2, “Painter-God,” is the more satisfying, zeroing in on the experimentation that drove his unique art and engineering, which fantasized flying machines, weapons of war and designs for urban infrastructure.

From Los Angeles Times