v. & n.
—v.
1 intr. wander without a settled destination, roam, ramble.
2 intr. (of eyes) look in changing directions.
3 tr. wander over or through.
—n. an act of roving (on the rove).
Phrases and idioms:
rove-beetle any long-bodied beetle of the family Staphylinidae, usu. found in decaying animal and vegetable matter. roving commission authority given to a person or persons conducting an inquiry to travel as may be necessary. roving eye a tendency to ogle or towards infidelity.
Etymology: ME, orig. a term in archery = shoot at a casual mark with the range not determined, perh. f. dial. rave stray, prob. of Scand. orig.
2.
past of REEVE(2).
3.
n. & v.
—n. a sliver of cotton, wool, etc., drawn out and slightly twisted.
—v.tr. form into roves.
Etymology: 18th c.: orig. unkn.
4.
n. a small metal plate or ring for a rivet to pass through and be clenched over, esp. in boat-building.
Etymology: ON roacute, with excrescent v
Useful english dictionary. 2012.