bever
verbEtymology From Middle English bever, from Anglo-Norman bever (modern French boire), from Latin bibō.
1
Obsolete To take a light repast between meals.
bever
nounUK /ˈbiːvə/ · US /ˈbivɚ/
Etymology From Middle English bever, from Anglo-Norman bever (modern French boire), from Latin bibō.
1
Obsolete A drink.
- Bid my subsiser carry my hackney to the buttery, and give him his bever; it is a civil and sober beast, and will drink moderately.1625, John Fletcher, Philip Massinger, “The Elder Brother. A Comedy.”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
2
Archaic A snack or light refreshment between meals.
- It seemeth that wee daily shorten the use of this, and that in our houses (as I have seene in mine infancie) breakfasts, nunchions, and beavers [translating collations] should be more frequent and often used than now adayes they are.1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 2, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
- Thirty meals a day and ten bevers.1604, Christopher Marlowe, Dr. Faustus:
1 more example
- Very softly I boiled water, made a sandwich from the remains of the luncheon roast chicken, scalded the Twining creature. Then I softly carried my bever to the study on a tray[…].1980, Anthony Burgess, Earthly Powers:
3
Obsolete A time for drinking.
4
Obsolete A mixture of cider and water.
- Related terms
- beverage