v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Purveyed p. pr. & vb. n. Purveying. ] [ OE. purveien, porveien, OF. porveeir, porveoir, F. pourvoir, fr. L. providere. See Provide, and cf. Purview. ] 1. To furnish or provide, as with a convenience, provisions, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Give no odds to your foes, but do purvey
Yourself of sword before that bloody day. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To procure; to get. [ 1913 Webster ]

I mean to purvey me a wife after the fashion of the children of Benjamin. Sir W. Scot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To purchase provisions; to provide; to make provision. Chaucer. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To pander; -- with to. “ Their turpitude purveys to their malice.” [ R. ] Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. pourvoyance. ] 1. The act or process of providing or procuring; providence; foresight; preparation; management. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ill purveyance of his page. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is provided; provisions; food. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eng. Law) A providing necessaries for the sovereign by buying them at an appraised value in preference to all others, and oven without the owner's consent. This was formerly a royal prerogative, but has long been abolished. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. porveour, OF. pourveor, F. pourvoyeur. See Purvey, and cf. Proveditor. ] 1. One who provides victuals, or whose business is to make provision for the table; a victualer; a caterer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An officer who formerly provided, or exacted provision, for the king's household. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. a procurer; a pimp; a bawd. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]