What're Words For, Part 22

Word: Stave (v.)

Definition: to move vigorously, often irresponsibly; to break, esp. to break-in our up

Usage: "Henry was here for about two hours, full as a tick and staving around, looking for a fight. Finally his old lady showed up, took him right by the ear and fetched him home. Did he let out the blats out of him."

Or: "Get ahold of that ram b'fore he staves up the whole barn."

Or: (past tense) "Too bad about your car gettin' stove up by that tree, Anne. How fast was it goin'?"

(Definition from: "How To Talk Yankee", by Gerald Lewis & Tim Sample, copyright 1979, 1986 by The Thorndike Press; copyright 1989 by the First North Country Press)