Obs. rare–1. [perh. the same as chivin, CHEVIN, chub, ‘a very shy fish, which hides in holes.’ But cf. also CHIVIE.] Only in phrase, to play the chiven (Nares chivan): ‘to run away precipitately’ (Nares).
c. 1660. Robin Hood & Stranger (Ritson II. xi. 30). ‘Go play the chiven’ the stranger said, ‘Make haste and quickly go.’
