Carve \Carve\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Carved; p. pr. & vb. n.
Carving.]
[AS. ceorfan to cut, carve; akin to D. kerven, G.
kerben, Dan. karve, Sw. karfva, and to Gr. ? to write, orig.
to scatch, and E. -graphy. Cf. Graphic.]
1. To cut. [Obs.]
Or they will carven the shepherd's throat.
--Spenser.
2. To cut, as wood, stone, or other material, in an artistic
or decorative manner; to sculpture; to engrave.
Carved with figures strange and sweet. --Coleridge.
3. To make or shape by cutting, sculpturing, or engraving; to
form; as, to carve a name on a tree.
An angel carved in stone. --Tennyson.
We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone.
--C. Wolfe.
4. To cut into small pieces or slices, as meat at table; to
divide for distribution or apportionment; to apportion.
``To carve a capon.'' --Shak.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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