Steven

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈstiːvÉ™n/

Alternative forms

• steaven, stevven, stevvon
• steavyn, stevin 15th-16th centuries
• stewyn, stewyne, stewin, stevyne Scotland

From Middle English steven ("voice, command, constitution"), from Old English stefn, stemn ("voice"), from Proto-Germanic *stebnō, *stemnō ("voice"), from Proto-Indo-European *stomen- ("mouth, muzzle"). Cognate with Old Frisian stifne, stemme ("voice"), Old Saxon stemna (Dutch stem, "voice"), Old High German stimma, stimna (German Stimme, "voice"), Gothic 𐍃𐍄𐌹𐌱𐌽𐌰 (stibna, "voice"), Ancient Greek στόμα (stóma, "mouth"). See also stevvon.

Full definition of steven

Noun

1. (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) The voice, now especially when loud or strong.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XXI:Than Syr Launcelot sayd wyth drery steven, ‘Syr Bysshop, I praye you gyve to me al my ryghtes that longeth to a Crysten man.’
• a1801, R. Gall, Poems & Songs (1819) 93:Then could her Sangsters loud their steven raise.
• 1865, W. S. Banks, List Provinc. Words Wakefield:Thah's a rare stevven, lad.
• a1886, G. E. Mackay, Love Lett. Violinist (1895) 197'':He..lifted up his steven To keep the bulwarks of his faith secure.
2. (obsolete) Speech, language.
3. Voice; cry; that which is uttered; petition; prayer.
• a1500 (1460), Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 17:God that shope both erth and heuen, I pray to the thou here my steven.
• 1589, T. Lodge, Scillaes Metamorphosis E 2:Father of light..Bring to effect this my desired steauen.
4. A word, command, bidding or direction given.
• 1597, T. Middleton, Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xviii. xiv–xvi. sig. Y3v:And brought thy precept? as a burning steauen, Reaching from heauen to earth, from earth to heauen.
5. A promise, one's word.
6. An outcry, shout, or loud call; a clamour/clamor, noise; din.
• 1826, J. Hogg, Queen Hynde vi, in Poems (1865) 262:All nature roar'd in one dire steven; Heaven cried to earth, and earth to heaven.
7. A sound, the sound of a horn; melody, tune; song; sound made by an animal or a bird.... whereby the little birds weening that the spring time had bin come, did chirp and sing in their steven melodiously — The Golden Asse

Verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To speak; utter; describe; tell of; name.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To voice an opinion; vote.
3. (transitive, archaic) To vouch; speak up (for).
4. (transitive, dialectal) To bespeak.
5. (intransitive, dialectal) To talk; call out; shout; make a noise.

Related terms

• stevvon

From Middle English steven ("appointment"), from Old English stefn ("a time, turn, tour of duty"), from Proto-Germanic *stabnijaz, *stabnijô ("fixed time"), from Proto-Indo-European *stebh- ("a stake, post; to support, stamp, insist, become angry"). Cognate with Middle Low German stevene ("a court appointment"), Old Norse stefna ("appointment, meeting"). More at staff.

Noun

1. (obsolete) A time, occasion.
• 1788, Samuel Johnson, George Steevens, The dramatick writings of Will. Shakspere, with the Notes of all the various Commentators:I should choose to read "at this dull season," rather than this dull steven, ...— John Monck Mason.
2. (obsolete) A set time; a date or appointment.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VIII:And that same nyght that the steavyn was sette betwyxte Segwarydes wyff and Sir Trystrames, so Kynge Marke armed and made hym redy ....

Verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To call; summon; command; appoint.
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To alternate; take turns.

Derived terms

• to set steven
• unset steven

Anagrams

• events