steven

plural stevens · alternative steaven · alternative stevvon

1. Northern EnglandScotlandotherwise archaicVoice, especially when loud or strong.

   1566, William Addlington, translator, The Golden Asse, Apuleius […] whereby the little birds weening that the spring time had bin come, did chirp and sing in their steven melodiously […]

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   When Little John heard his master speake, / Well knew he it was his steven.

   17th c., Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne

   Then could her Sangsters loud their steven raise.

   a. 1801, Richard Gall, Poems & Songs (1819) 93

   All nature roar'd in one dire steven; Heaven cried to earth, and earth to heaven.

   1826, James Hogg, Queen Hynde vi, in Poems (1865) 262

   Thah's a rare stevven, lad.

   1865, William Stott Banks, List Provinc. Words Wakefield

   Then Sir Launcelot said with dreary steeven [voice], “Sir bishop, I pray you give to me all my rights that longeth to a Christian man.”

   1880, Sidney Lanier, Sir Thomas Malory, Alfred Kappes, The Boy's King Arthur

2. obsoleteA request, petition, prayer, or command.

   To thee, lady, y make my moon; I praie thee heere my steuen.

   a. 1500, "Hymns to Virgin, etc. (E. E. T. S.), p. 6"

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   Father of light […] Bring to effect this my desired steauen.

   1589, Thomas Lodge, Scillaes Metamorphosis E 2

   And brought thy precept?^([sic – meaning precepts]) as a burning steauen, Reaching from heauen to earth, from earth to heauen.

   1597, Thomas Middleton, Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xviii. xiv–xvi. sig. Y3v

plural stevens · alternative steaven · alternative stevvon

1. obsoleteA time, occasion.

   I should choose to read "at this dull season," rather than this dull steven, [...]— John Monck Mason.

   1788, Samuel Johnson, George Steevens, The dramatick writings of Will. Shakspere, with the Notes of all the various Commentators

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   And that same nyght that the steavyn was sette betwyxte Segwarydes wyff and Sir Trystrames, so Kynge Marke armed and made hym redy ….

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VIII

   Let us some masteries make, And we will walk in the woods even; We may chance meet with Robin Hood Here at some unset steven.

   1894, Reginald Brimley Johnson, “Robin Hood”, in Popular British Ballads, Ancient and Modern, page 167

1. A male given name from Ancient Greek, variant of Stephen.

   That's why the people of this world believe in... Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, and Steven!

   2013 Steven Universe (theme song)

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   His first name was probably Steve or Ed. No, there were no more Steves or Eds in New York. They were now Steven or Edward, whether they were gay or straight. If they had money, they didn't have a nickname. Everybody was into high seriousness, so that now even dogs were named Humphrey and Raphael.

   1989, Ann Beattie, Picturing Will, Random House., →ISBN, page 67

   The Harvard psychologist and bestselling author Steven Pinker appeared on the podcast of Aporia, an outlet whose owners advocate for a revival of race science and have spoken of seeking “legitimation by association” by platforming more mainstream figures.

   2025 June 7, Jason Wilson, “Harvard author Steven Pinker appears on podcast linked to scientific racism”, in The Guardian, →ISSN