heave

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heave / hēv/ • v. (past heaved or chiefly Naut. hove / hōv/ ) 1. [tr.] lift or haul (a heavy thing) with great effort: she heaved the sofa back into place he heaved himself out of bed. ∎  Naut. pull, raise, or move (a boat or ship) by hauling on a rope or ropes. ∎ inf. throw (something heavy): she heaved half a brick at him.2. [tr.] produce (a sigh): he heaved a euphoric sigh of relief.3. [intr.] rise and fall rhythmically or spasmodically: his shoulders heaved as he panted. ∎  make an effort to vomit; retch: my stomach heaved.• n. 1. an act of heaving, esp. a strong pull. ∎  Geol. a sideways displacement in a fault.2. (the heaves) inf. a case of retching or vomiting: waiting for the heaves to subside.3. (heaves) a disease of horses, with labored breathing.PHRASES: heave in sight (or into view) chiefly Naut. come into view: the three canoes hove into view.PHRASAL VERBS: heave to Naut. (of a boat or ship) come to a stop, esp. by turning across the wind leaving the headsail backed: he hove to and dropped anchor.DERIVATIVES: heav·er n.

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