hive
|hive|
/haɪv/
container for bees; busy place
Etymology
'hive' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hȳf', where the root meant 'beehive' or 'shelter for bees'.
'hive' changed from the Old English word 'hȳf' into Middle English as 'hive' and eventually became the modern English word 'hive' with little change in form.
Initially, it meant 'a beehive' (a structure for bees); over time it also developed figurative meanings like 'a busy place' and the medical sense seen in 'hives' for skin welts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a structure or box where bees live and produce honey; a beehive.
The beekeeper checked the hive for signs of disease.
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Noun 2
a place that is full of activity and people; a busy center of activity (figurative).
The market was a hive of activity early in the morning.
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Noun 3
a raised, itchy spot on the skin (often used in the plural 'hives')—urticaria.
She had a hive on her arm after the allergic reaction.
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Verb 1
to put or confine bees in a hive; to house a swarm in a hive.
Beekeepers often hive swarms that settle in nearby trees.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/10/07 22:07