- AS. ceorfan to cut, carve; akin to D. kerven, G. kerben, Dan. karve, Sw. karfva, and to Gr. gra`fein to write, orig. to scratch, and E. -graphy. Cf. Graphic
- To cut.ObsOr they will carven the shepherd's throat.
- To cut, as wood, stone, or other material, in an artistic or decorative manner; to sculpture; to engrave.Carved with figures strange and sweet.
- To make or shape by cutting, sculpturing, or engraving; to form; as, to carve a name on a tree.An angel carved in stone.We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone.
- To cut into small pieces or slices, as meat at table; to divide for distribution or apportionment; to apportion.Tocarvea capon.
- To cut: to hew; to mark as if by cutting.My good blade carved the casques of men.A million wrinkles carved his skin.
- To take or make, as by cutting; to provide.Who could easily have carved themselves their own food.
- To lay out; to contrive; to design; to plan.Lie ten nights awake carving the fashion of a new doublet.Fortunes were carved out of the property of the crown.
