Dictionary
chivy
verb \ˈchi-vē\
chiv·ied or chiv·viedchivy·ing or chiv·vy·ing
Definition of CHIVY
transitive verb
1
: to tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks
2
: to move or obtain by small maneuvers <chivy an olive out of a bottle>
See chivy defined for kids Variants of CHIVY
chivy or chiv·vy \ˈchi-vē\
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Origin of CHIVY
chivy, noun, chase, hunt, probably from English dialect Chevy Chase chase, confusion, from the name of a ballad describing the battle of Otterburn (1388)
First Known Use: 1918
Synonym Discussion of CHIVY
bait, badger, heckle, hector, chivy, hound mean to harass by efforts to break down. bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim <baited the chained dog>. badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy <badgered her father for a car>. heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker <drunks heckled the stand-up comic>. hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering <football players hectored by their coach>. chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging <chivied the new student mercilessly>. hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing <hounded by creditors>.
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