n. [ AS. drāf, fr. drīfan to drive. See Drive. ] 1. A collection of cattle driven, or cattle collected for driving; a number of animals, as oxen, sheep, or swine, driven in a body. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Any collection of irrational animals, moving or driving forward; as, a finny drove. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A crowd of people in motion. [ 1913 Webster ] Where droves, as at a city gate, may pass. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. A road for driving cattle; a driftway. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Agric.) A narrow drain or channel used in the irrigation of land. Simmonds. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Masonry) (a) A broad chisel used to bring stone to a nearly smooth surface; -- called also drove chisel. (b) The grooved surface of stone finished by the drove chisel; -- called also drove work. [ 1913 Webster ] |