Origin of word given

giv•en /ˈgɪvən/USA pronunciation  
v. 

1. pp. of give.

adj.

1. stated, fixed, or made specific or certain:[before a noun]a payment to be made at a given time.
2. inclined;
   disposed:[be + ~ + to]He was given to making snide remarks.
3. This word is used to mean the same thing as «if (something) is true,» or «assuming that (something is true),» followed by a conclusion:Given A and B, C follows (= If A and B are true, then so is C).

n. [countable* usually singular]

1. an established fact, condition, factor, etc.:It was a given that the meetings were always late.

giv•en 
(giv′ən),USA pronunciation v. 

1. pp. of give. 

adj.

1. stated, fixed, or specified:at a given time.
2. addicted or disposed (often fol. by to):given to making snide remarks.
3. bestowed as a gift;
   conferred.
4. assigned as a basis of calculation, reasoning, etc.:Given A and B, C follows.
5. Mathematicsknown or independently determined:a given magnitude.
6. Law(on official documents) executed and delivered as of the date shown.

n.

1. an established fact, condition, factor, etc.

given /ˈɡɪv^ən/ vb

1. the past participle of give

adj

1. (postpositive) followed by to: tending (to); inclined or addicted (to)
2. specific or previously stated
3. assumed as a premise
4. known or determined independently: a given volume
5. (on official documents) issued or executed, as on a stated date

give /gɪv/USA pronunciation  
v., gave/geɪv/USA pronunciation  giv•en, giv•ing, n. 
v.

1. to present freely and without expecting something in return;
   make a gift of: [~ + object + to + object]to give a birthday present to my wife.[~ + object + object]to give my wife a birthday present.[no object]The charity asked us to give generously.
2. to hand to someone: [~ + object + object]Give me that plate, please.[~ + object + to + object]Give the book to your sister.
3. to place in someone’s care: [~ + object + to + object]I gave the folders to your assistant.[~ + object + object]Give the butler your coat.
4. to grant (permission, opportunity, etc.) to someone or something: [~ + object + object]Give me a chance.[~ + (to +) object + object]Let’s give (to) each candidate the same chance to speak.[~ + object + to + object]You should give an opportunity to each candidate.
5. to convey by words: [~ + object]to give advice.[~ + object + object]I gave her my phone number.
6. to communicate (a disease);
   transmit: [~ + object + to + object]She gave her cold to her sister.[~ + object + object]She gave her sister her cold.
7. to set forth or show;
   present;
   offer: [~ + object]He wouldn’t give a reason for his actions.[~ + object + to + object]He wouldn’t give any reason to his parents for his actions.[~ + object + object]He wouldn’t give his parents any reason for his actions.
8. to pay or transfer possession to another in exchange for something: [~ + object]They gave five dollars for the picture.[~ + object + object]They gave me five dollars for the picture.
9. to furnish, provide, or offer: [~ + object]to give evidence in a court of law.[~ + object + to + object]He gave testimony to the court.[~ + (to +) object + object]He gave (to) the police the evidence they needed.
10. to provide as an entertainment or social function: [~ + object]to give a Halloween party.[~ + object + object]We gave them an anniversary party.
11. to deal or administer: [~ + object + to + object]to give medicine to a sick patient.[~ + object + object]to give a sick patient medicine.
12. to assign, accept, or figure as a basis of calculation or reasoning: [~ + object]Given these facts, the theory makes sense. [ [~] + [object] + [object] ]: I give him two days before he quits.
13. to produce, yield, or cause: [~ + object]This recipe gives good results.[~ + object + object]The beer gave me a headache.
14. to make, do, or perform;
    put forth: [~ + object]The car gave a lurch, then stalled.[~ + object + object]Give me a little kiss.
15. to cause;
    be responsible for:[~ + object + to + verb]They gave me to understand that you would be there.
16. to care about something to the value or extent of: [~ + object]I don’t give a hoot about their opinion.[~ + object + to + verb]I’d give anything to be in bed asleep.
17. to sacrifice:[~ + object]He gave his life for his country.
18. to assign;
    allot:[~ + object + object]They gave him the nickname «Scooter.»
19. to acknowlege as deserving;
    attribute or ascribe: [~ + object + object]You’ve got to give him credit, he did a good job.[~ + object + to + object]I have to give most of the credit to my teammates.
20. to connect with, as through a switchboard:[~ + object + object]The operator gave me your office assistant’s phone.
21. to present to an audience: [~ + (to +) object + object][present tense only]Ladies and gentlemen, I give (to) you the governor.
22. to apply fully or freely;
    devote: [~ + object + to + object]I’ll give my full attention to your problem.[~ + object + object]I’ll give it my full attention.
23. to inflict as a punishment on another;
    impose a sentence of: [~ + object + object]The judge gave him a sentence of ten years.[~ + (to +) object + object]The judge gave (to) each defendant a sentence of ten years.[~ + object + to + object]The judge gave the maximum sentence to each defendant.
24. to pledge, offer as a pledge, or deliver: [~ + object + object]She gave him her word.[~ + object]She gave her word.
25. to bear (a baby, children, etc.) to a man:[~ + object + object]She gave him a beautiful baby boy.
26. to cause a woman to have (a baby or children);
    to father:[~ + object + object]He gave her two children in four years.
27. to admit that (something) is true:[~ + object + object]He’s not handsome, I’ll give you that.
28. The expression Give me when followed by something as an object is used to mean «I would like to have (the object mentioned)»:[~ + me + object]Give me a house in the suburbs. (= I would like to have a house in the suburbs).
29. to compromise or yield a little, as to influence or persuasion:[no object]Each side in the dispute must give on some points.
30. to sink in, bend, stretch, or yield a little under weight, force, pressure, etc.:[no object]A horsehair mattress doesn’t give much.
31. to collapse;
    break down;
    fall apart:[no object]The old chair gave when I sat on it.
32. to be warm and open in relationships with others:[no object]a withdrawn person who doesn’t know how to give.
33. Informal Termsto let out information:[no object]Okay now, give! What happened?
34. to provide a view or passage;
    face, open, or lead:[~ + on/onto]This door gives onto the hallway.
35. give away:
    • to offer or donate as a present;
      bestow: [~ + away + object]He gave away all his money to charity.[~ + object + away]He gave all his money away.
    • to present (the bride) to the bridegroom in a marriage ceremony: [~ + away + object]The father gave away the bride.[~ + object + away]She asked him to give her away at the wedding.
    • to let out, disclose, betray, or expose: [~ + away + object]giving away secrets.[~ + object + away]Would we be giving any secrets away?

36. give back, to return (something), as to the owner;
    restore: [~ + back + object]I gave back the book.[~ + object + back]I gave the book back.[~ + back + object + to + object]Give back the book to the owner.[~ + object + back + to + object]Let’s give the book back to the owner.[~ + object + back + object]Give me back my money.[~ + object + object + back]Give me my money back.
37. give in:
    • to acknowledge defeat;
      admit a loss;
      surrender;
      yield: [no object]was too tired to fight and gave in.[~ + in + to + object]She gave in to despair.
    • to hand in;
      deliver: [~ + in + object]She gave in her timecard.[~ + object + in]She gave her timecard in.

38. give of, to devote or contribute generously of: [~ + of + oneself]She gives of herself at all times in her teaching.[~ + of + one’s + object]She gave of her time freely.
39. give off, [~ + object] to put forth;
    emit:The gardenia gives off a strong fragrance.
40. give out:
    • [~ + object] to send out;
      emit:gave out a loud cry.
    • [~ + object] to make public or make known;
      announce:gave out the news.
    • to distribute;
      hand out;
      issue: [~ + out + object]I gave out the test booklets.[~ + object + out]I gave the test booklets out.
    • [no object] to become exhausted or used up:The battery gave out.

41. give over:
    • to put into the care or custody of;
      transfer: [~ + over + object]She gave over all her property to her daughter.[~ + object + over]She gave it over to her daughter.
    • [~ + oneself + over] to submit fully;
      yield to:She gave herself over to tears.
    • [~ + object + over] to devote to a specified activity:The day was given over to relaxing.

42. give up:
    • [no object] to abandon hope;
      despair:After a while I just gave up; I thought I’d never see her again.
    • to stop;
      desist from;
      renounce: [no object]After searching ten hours straight, we gave up.[~ + object]refused to give up politics.[~ + verb-ing]to give up smoking.
    • to surrender;
      relinquish: [~ (+ oneself) + up]told the escaped convict to give (himself) up.[~ + up + object]Give up your hostages.[~ + object + up]Give the hostages up.
    • [~ + oneself + up + to + object] to devote (oneself ) entirely to:She gave herself up to this project.

n. [uncountable]

1. the quality or state of yielding or sinking under force or pressure;
   springiness:There’s not much give to this couch.

Idioms

1. Idioms give it to, [~ + object][Informal.]to reprimand or punish:His mom is really going to give it to him for breaking the window.
2. Idioms give or take, [~ + object] plus or minus a specified amount:in about an hour, give or take five minutes.

giv•er, n. [countable]

give 
(giv),USA pronunciation v., gave, giv•en, giv•ing, n. 
v.t.

1. to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation;
   bestow:to give a birthday present to someone.
2. to hand to someone:Give me that plate, please.
3. to place in someone’s care:If you give me your coat, I’ll put it in the closet.
4. to grant (permission, opportunity, etc.) to someone:Give me a chance.
5. to impart or communicate:to give advice; to give a cold to someone.
6. to set forth or show;
   present;
   offer:He gave no reason for his lateness.
7. to pay or transfer possession to another in exchange for something:They gave five dollars for the picture. He gave me the car for $800.
8. to furnish, provide, or proffer:to give evidence; Let me give you my umbrella before you go out in this rain.
9. to provide as an entertainment or social function:to give a New Year’s Eve party.
10. to deal or administer:to give a blow to someone; to give medicine to a patient.
11. to put forth, emit, or utter;
    issue:to give a cry; to give a command.
12. to assign or admit as a basis of calculation or reasoning (usually used passively):These facts being given, the argument makes sense.
13. to produce, yield, or afford:to give good results;9 × 8 gives 72;The hen gave six eggs a week.
14. to make, do, or perform:to give a start; to give a lurch.
15. to perform or present publicly:to give a play; to give a concert.
16. to cause;
    be responsible for (usually fol. by an infinitive):They gave me to understand that you would be there.
17. to care about something to the value or extent of (something fanciful):I don’t give a hoot about his opinion.
18. to relinquish or sacrifice:to give one’s life for a cause.
19. to convey or transmit:Give Aunt Betty my love.
20. to assign or allot:Give every man a full ration of biscuits. They gave him the name of «Joseph.»
21. to bestow (the object of one’s choice) upon, as if by providence:Give me the wide open spaces anytime.
22. to be connected with, as by a telephone operator:Give me 235-7522.
23. to present to an audience, as an entertainer, speaker, or act:Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the governor of Texas.
24. to attribute or ascribe:to give the devil his due; After long study the critic gave the unsigned work to a minor impressionist.
25. to cause or occasion:She gives me a pain in the neck.
26. to apply fully or freely:He gives his free time to golf.
27. to award by verdict or after consideration:A decision was given for the defendant.
28. to inflict as a punishment on another;
    punish by;
    impose a sentence of:The judge gave him five years.
29. to pledge, offer as a pledge, or execute and deliver:He gave her his promise. Can you give bond?
30. to propose as the subject of a toast (fol. by an indirect object):Ladies and gentlemen, I give you our country.
31. to bear to a man;
    deliver (fol. by an indirect object):She gave him a beautiful baby boy.
32. to sire upon a woman;
    father (fol. by an indirect object):He gave her two children in the first five years of marriage.
33. to concede or grant, as a point in an argument.

v.i.

1. to make a gift or gifts;
   contribute:to give to the United Way.
2. to yield somewhat, as to influence or force;
   compromise:We can’t negotiate until each side is willing to give on some points.
3. to yield somewhat when subjected to weight, force, pressure, etc.:A horsehair mattress doesn’t give much.
4. to collapse;
   break down;
   fall apart;
   fail:The antique chair gave when I sat on it.
5. to be warm and open in relationships with other persons:a withdrawn person who doesn’t know how to give.
6. Informal Termsto divulge information:Okay now, give! What happened?
7. to afford a view or passage;
   face, open, or lead (usually fol. by on, onto, etc.):The window gives on the sea. This door gives onto the hallway.
8. Idioms give and take:
   • to compromise in order to cooperate:A willingness to give and take is important for success in marriage.
   • to exchange ideas:an informal meeting in which there would be opportunities to give and take.

9. give away:
   • to give as a present;
     bestow.
   • to present (the bride) to the bridegroom in a marriage ceremony.
   • to expose or betray (a person).
   • to reveal (a confidence or secret, hidden motives, true feelings, etc.):That remark gave away his real feelings.

10. give back, to return (something), as to its owner;
    restore:You haven’t given back the books you borrowed from me.
11. Idioms give battle. See battle ¹ (def. 6).
12. give birth to. See birth (def. 8).
13. Idioms give ground, to yield before superior force, as of arms or of reasoning.
14. give in:
    • to acknowledge defeat;
      yield.
    • to hand in;
      deliver:Please give in your timecards.

15. Idioms, Informal Terms give it to, [Informal.]to reprimand or punish:His father really gave it to him for coming home so late.
16. give of, to devote or contribute generously of:to give of oneself; to give of one’s abundance.
17. give off, to put forth;
    emit:The gardenia gives off a very strong fragrance.
18. Idioms give or take, plus or minus a specified amount;
    more or less:It will cost $20, give or take a dollar or two.
19. give out:
    • to send out;
      emit.
    • to make public;
      announce.
    • to distribute;
      issue.
    • to become exhausted.
    • to become used up;
      fail:The fuel gave out.
    • to do or express something, esp. unrestrainedly or easily:to give out with a song.

20. give over:
    • to put into the care of;
      transfer:She gave over all her property to her daughter.
    • to put an end to;
      stop:They will never give over their impossible dreams.
    • to indulge in without restraint:She gave herself over to tears.
    • to devote to a specified activity:The day was given over to relaxing in the sun.

21. Idioms give rise to. See rise (def. 55).
22. give up:
    • to abandon hope;
      despair.
    • to desist from;
      renounce:to give up smoking.
    • to surrender;
      relinquish.
    • to devote (oneself ) entirely to:She gave herself up to her job and seldom saw her old friends.
    • [South Midland U.S.]to consider;
      deem:She’s given up to be the kindest woman around here.

23. Idioms give way. See way (def. 26).

n.

1. the quality or state of being resilient;
   springiness.

giv′a•ble, give′a•ble, adj., n. 
giv•ee′, n. 
giv′er, n. 

• 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged offer, vouchsafe, impart, accord, furnish, provide, supply, donate, contribute.
  Give, confer, grant, present may mean that something concrete or abstract is bestowed on one person by another.
  Give is the general word:to give someone a book, permission, etc.Confer usually means to give an honor or a favor; it implies courteous and gracious giving:to confer a degree.Grant is limited to the idea of acceding to a request; it may apply to the bestowal of privileges, or the fulfillment of an expressed wish:to grant a charter, a prayer, permission, etc.Present, a more formal word than give, usually implies a certain ceremony in the giving:to present a citation to a regiment.
• 18.See corresponding entry in Unabridged cede, yield.

• 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged receive.

give /ɡɪv/ vb (gives, giving, gave /ɡeɪv/, given /ˈɡɪv^ən/)(mainly tr)

1. (also intr) to present or deliver voluntarily (something that is one’s own) to the permanent possession of another or others
2. (often followed by for) to transfer (something that is one’s own, esp money) to the possession of another as part of an exchange: to give fifty pounds for a painting
3. to place in the temporary possession of another: I gave him my watch while I went swimming
4. when intr, followed by of: to grant, provide, or bestow: give me some advice
5. to administer: to give a reprimand
6. to award or attribute: to give blame, praise, etc
7. to be a source of: he gives no trouble
8. to impart or communicate: to give news, give a person a cold
9. to utter or emit: to give a shout
10. to perform, make, or do: the car gave a jolt and stopped
11. to sacrifice or devote: he gave his life for his country
12. to surrender: to give place to others
13. to concede or yield: I will give you this game
14. (intransitive) informal to happen: what gives?
15. (often followed by to) to cause; lead: she gave me to believe that she would come
16. to perform or present as an entertainment: to give a play
17. to propose as a toast
18. (intransitive) to yield or break under force or pressure: this surface will give if you sit on it, his courage will never give
19. give as good as one gets ⇒ to respond to verbal or bodily blows to at least an equal extent as those received
20. give it up for someone ⇒ slang to applaud someone
21. give or take ⇒ plus or minus: three thousand people came, give or take a few hundred

n

1. a tendency to yield under pressure; resilience

See also give away, give inEtymology: Old English giefan; related to Old Norse gefa, Gothic giban, Old High German geban, Swedish giva

ˈgivable, ˈgiveable adj ˈgiver n