keeve

English

Alternative forms

• kieve, kive

Etymology

From Middle English kive, from Old English cȳf (“vat”), from Proto-West Germanic *kūbiju, a diminutive of Proto-Germanic *kūbaz, perhaps from Latin cūpa. Related to French cuve. Doublet of coupe, cup, and hive.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kiːv/
• Rhymes: -iːv

Noun

keeve (plural keeves)

1. (bleaching) A bleaching vat; a kier.
2. (brewing) A vat or tub in which the mash is made; a mash tub.
   • 1753, Hugh Stafford, “Sect. VI. Of Proper Vessels for Receiving the Cyder for Its Fermentation; the Vigilance, Exact Care, and Attention Required in the First Fermentation of Cyder for Making It Sweet, and as Long as It Continues in a Fermenting State.”, in A Treatise on Cyder-making, Founded on Long Practice and Experience; […], London: […] E[dward] Cave, […], →OCLC, page 48:

     In order to avoid a great deal of trouble, and to perform the vvork more effectually, by diveſting the nevv made Cyder of vvhat pummice and other impurities remain; after ſtraining it through a hair ſieve, on its coming from the VVring, or Preſs, it is neceſſary to be provided vvith a large open vat, keeve, or clive, vvhich vvill contain a vvhole pounding, or making of Cyder; or as much as can be preſſed in one day: […]

3. (mining) A large vat used in dressing ores.

Verb

keeve (third-person singular simple present keeves, present participle keeving, simple past and past participle keeved)

1. To set in a keeve, or tub, for fermentation.
2. (UK, dialect) To heave; to tilt, as a cart.

References

• “keeve”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.