Preterite of STAVE, to rush, to rend, to force with violence.
1819. [The lightning] stove the chest in pieces.—Mass. Spy, June 23: from the American Advocate.
1821. Their wood is washed away, and their small row boats stove.—Id., Sept. 12: from the N.Y. Evening Post.
1836. He stove about in every direction, like a mad bull.—Phila. Public Ledger, Oct. 5, 1/4.
1837. The young bridegroom boasted that he had taken an ‘under bit out of his left ear, and stove two of his front teeth down his throat.’—Knick. Mag., x. 408 (Nov.).
