pave

¹

[ peyv ]

verb (used with object)

, paved, pav·ing.

1. to cover or lay (a road, walk, etc.) with concrete, stones, bricks, tiles, wood, or the like, so as to make a firm, level surface.

noun

1. Southern Louisiana. a paved road.

pavé

²

[ puh-vey, pav-ey; French pa-vey ]

noun

, plural pa·vés [p, uh, -, veyz, pav, -eyz, p, a, -, vey].

1. a pavement.
2. Jewelry. a setting of stones placed close together so as to show no metal between them.

adverb

1. Jewelry. in the manner of a pavé; as a pavé:

   diamonds set pavé.

adjective

1. Also pa·véd, pa·véed. being set pavé:

   pavé rubies.

pave

¹

/ peɪv /

verb

1. to cover (a road, path, etc) with a firm surface suitable for travel, as with paving stones or concrete
2. to serve as the material for a pavement or other hard layer

   bricks paved the causeway

3. often foll by with to cover with a hard layer (of)

   shelves paved with marble

4. to prepare or make easier (esp in the phrase pave the way )

   to pave the way for future development

pavé

²

/ ˈpæveɪ /

noun

1. a paved surface, esp an uneven one
2. a style of setting gems so closely that no metal shows

Derived Forms

• ˈpaver, noun

Other Words From

• un·paved adjective
• well-paved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pave¹

1275–1325; Middle English paven < Middle French paver < Vulgar Latin *pavare, for Latin pavīre to beat, ram, tread down

Origin of pave²

1755–65; < French, past participle of paver. See pave

Word History and Origins

Origin of pave¹

C14: from Old French paver, from Latin pavīre to ram down

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pave the way to / for, to prepare for and facilitate the entrance of; lead up to:

   His analysis of the college market paved the way for their entry into textbook publishing.

Example Sentences

Finally, he said that one of the most practical education PAVE did was around the best practices that its members and advisors have developed in early AV deployments.

From TechCrunch

This is a time of transition, but I am excited to work with our team—both new and old alike—as we pave a new way forward.

From The Daily Beast

Taylor Swift just used a calculated business decision, cloaked in artistic integrity, to pave the way for a digital music war.

From The Daily Beast

In contrast, a successful outcome on the nuclear issue could pave the way for progress on other issues of concern with Iran.

From The Daily Beast

In elections last May, however, the Flemish separatists won big, which could eventually pave the way to a partitioned nation.

From The Daily Beast

Maybe the boys in France and Wales will pave the way for this change.

From The Daily Beast

Our gunners had put more than they could afford into the bombardment and had very little wherewith to pave the way.

From Project Gutenberg

That can do no harm, and may even help to pave the way for bringing about a better state of things some day.

From Project Gutenberg

I've broke enough in my time to pave Cheapside—jugs and cups and basins.

From Project Gutenberg

First, as a form in repose, she will tone down savage life, and pave the way from feeling to thought.

From Project Gutenberg

The chief Quisara was slain, who used to pave the way to his dwelling with the skulls of those be had overcome.

From Project Gutenberg