from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Drove \Drove\, n. [AS. dr[=a]f, fr. dr[imac]fan to drive. See
{Drive}.]
1. A collection of cattle driven, or cattle collected for
driving; a number of animals, as oxen, sheep, or swine,
driven in a body.
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2. Any collection of irrational animals, moving or driving
forward; as, a finny drove. --Milton.
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3. A crowd of people in motion.
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Where droves, as at a city gate, may pass. --Dryden.
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4. A road for driving cattle; a driftway. [Eng.]
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5. (Agric.) A narrow drain or channel used in the irrigation
of land. --Simmonds.
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6. (Masonry)
(a) A broad chisel used to bring stone to a nearly smooth
surface; -- called also {drove chisel}.
(b) The grooved surface of stone finished by the drove
chisel; -- called also {drove work}.
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