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)