Talk:give over
Latest comment: 4 years ago by Backinstadiums in topic give over to
In Webster 1913 the third meaning (to addict, resign or apply one’s self) was illustrated with a sentence where the object is a living being (Babylonians). For the second meaning (to yield completely, to quit, to abandon) there was no example, so I suspected that Carlyle’s sentence refers to this meaning (the object being government of the Poor by the Rich, albeit grammatically a subject in the passive sentence), though the third one be fitting too. The uſer hight Bogorm converſation 16:29, 26 February 2010 (UTC)
For me, the distinction between senses 3, 4 and 5 ("To yield completely, to quit, to abandon", "To addict, resign or apply (one’s self)" and "To devote oneself to a particular activity") is unclear. I'm wondering if there is really only one sense here, which may be reflexive or ordinary transitive. If not, example sentences to clearly illustrate the differences would be useful. 86.184.235.31 23:40, 6 February 2011 (UTC)I have been bold and reorganised these definitions, combining those that seem to be the same. I am not familiar with the "quit" / "abandon" meaning, so I left it as a separate entry. An example sentence for that would be good. 86.184.235.31 23:54, 6 February 2011 (UTC)
give over to edit
1. reserve something for purpose: to dedicate or assign something to a particular purpose or use This area will be given over to a children's playground. 2. abandon yourself to something: to abandon yourself to an emotion or experience (literary) She gave herself over to despair. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009