torve
Definitions
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- verb To throw; cast.
- adjective Grim; wild; fierce; stern; of a stern countenance.
Examples
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Instantly Toby made straight at him with a roar too, and an eye more torve than Scrymgeour’s, who, retreating without reserve, fell prostrate, there is reason to believe, in his own lobby.
Note
The word 'torve' comes from Middle English 'torven, torvien', from Old English 'torfian' ("to throw, cast missiles, shoot, stone"), from Proto-Germanic '*turbōjanan, *turbianan' (“to turn, twist”), from Proto-Indo-European '*derbh-' (“to tie together, weave”). It is related to Old English 'tearflian' ("to turn, roll, wallow"), Alemannic German 'zirbeln' ("to swirl, whirl, roll").
