Steven
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈstiËvÉ™n/
Origin 1
Alternative forms
From Middle English steven ("voice, command, constitution"), from Old English stefn, stemn ("voice"), from Proto-Germanic *stebnÅ, *stemnÅ ("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 ðƒð„ðŒ¹ðŒ±ðŒ½ðŒ° (stibna, "voice"), Ancient Greek στόμα (stóma, "mouth"). See also stevvon.
Full definition of steven
Noun
steven
(plural stevens)- (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.
- (obsolete) Speech, language.
- 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.
- 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.
- A promise, one's word.
- 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.
- 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
Related terms
Origin 2
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
steven
(plural stevens)- (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.
- (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 ....