purvey

[ per-vey ]

verb (used with object)

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

purvey

verb

1. to sell or provide (commodities, esp foodstuffs) on a large scale
2. to publish or make available (lies, scandal, etc)

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of purvey¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of purvey¹

C13: from Old French porveeir, from Latin prōvidēre to provide

Example Sentences

This was the message purveyed in a rash of new romance comics and magazines aimed specifically at young women, with titles such as Young Romance and Young Love.

From Time

So this feast was ended, and the Constable, by the advice of Anglides, let purvey that Alisander was well horsed and harnessed.

From Project Gutenberg

They used to send them out in pairs, sometimes to one district, and sometimes to another, to purvey food for them.

From Project Gutenberg

The wretches who gained the name of Resurrection men despoiled graveyards to purvey subjects for the dissecting knife.

From Project Gutenberg

Purvey himself contributes to this end by a definite statement of certain changes which may be allowed the English writer.

From Project Gutenberg

Purvey says, "Men might expound much openlier and shortlier the Bible than the old doctors have expounded it in Latin."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• vend