heave

heave · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To lift or move something heavy with great effort.

  2. 2.

    To throw something heavy.

  3. 3.

    To rise and fall rhythmically or spasmodically.

  4. 4.

    To retch or make an effort to vomit.

  5. 5.

    (nautical) To pull on a rope or cable.

  6. 6.

    (noun) An act of heaving; a strong pull or lift.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    heave a sigh — to let out a deep sigh
  • •
    heave ho — an exclamation used when pulling together
  • •
    heave to — (nautical) to bring a ship to a stop

Related words

Antonyms: drop, lower
See also: haul, lift, pull, throw
Synonyms: haul, lift, pull, throw

Etymology

From Old English hebban ("to raise, lift"), from Proto-Germanic habjan. The nautical past tense "hove" is preserved in certain expressions.