purvey

American  

[per-vey] / pərˈveɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to provide, furnish, or supply (especially food or provisions) usually as a business or service.

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purvey British  

verb

1. to sell or provide (commodities, esp foodstuffs) on a large scale

2. to publish or make available (lies, scandal, etc)

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noun

1. the food and drink laid on at a wedding reception, etc

Etymology

Origin of purvey

1250–1300; Middle English purveien < Anglo-French purveier < Latin prōvidēre to foresee, provide for. See provide

Explanation

Use the verb purvey to describe the activities of businesses that supply things like food, like the bakery that purveys the best bread in the city. Purvey, which rhymes with survey, is something that a restaurant or store does: offer us food or supplies that we pay for, like the airport shop that purveys books, magazines and other things that travelers need for their flights. A second meaning refers to spreading an idea — like gossip — usually to a large audience, like when someone purveys embarrassing details about your dating life. Ouch.

Example Sentences

Carol ends up at a ramshackle New Mexican community of fellow-sufferers, who purvey the mantra of self-love.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 4, 2019

But the question is in the execution of these new plots, and specifically how ardently this spinoff will purvey a skewed image of justice’s inner workings, as is the tendency of Wolf’s other work.

From Salon • Sep. 5, 2018

Much of its appeal lies in the contrast between the ostensibly stodgy actors and the outlandish tales they purvey.

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2015

The former are treated very well, because they purvey the ideas and analysis that fuel the think tank’s operations.

From Slate • Mar. 7, 2012

"Garland, will you purvey another psychic and conduct the pursuit?"

From The Shadow World by Garland, Hamlin

Related Words

• vend