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Oliver

proper noun

  1. male given name
  2. family name
L450111 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈɑlɪvɚ/ / /ˈɒlɪvə/

adj

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English Oliver, from Old French Olivier, by folk etymology derived from the Latin name Olīvārius, but probably representing an Old High German form of Old Norse Óleifr (“ancestral + relic”) (modern Danish Olaf and Swedish Olof), or Proto-Germanic *ala- (“all”) + *wēraz (“true”) (modern Swedish allvar). Name of a paladin of Charlemagne in medieval French romance.

  1. Drunk, pissed.

name

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English Oliver, from Old French Olivier, by folk etymology derived from the Latin name Olīvārius, but probably representing an Old High German form of Old Norse Óleifr (“ancestral + relic”) (modern Danish Olaf and Swedish Olof), or Proto-Germanic *ala- (“all”) + *wēraz (“true”) (modern Swedish allvar). Name of a paladin of Charlemagne in medieval French romance.

  1. A male given name from the Germanic languages.

    Froyſard, a Countreyman of ours, records, / England all Oliuers and Rowlands breed, / During the time Edward the third did raigne: […]

    "My name is Oliver, sir," replied the little invalid with a look of great astonishment. "Oliver," said Mr. Brownlow; "Oliver what? Oliver White,—eh?" "No, sir, Twist,—Oliver Twist." "Queer name," said the old gentleman. What made you tell the magistrate your name was White?"

  2. A surname originating as a patronymic.

    “I appreciate your curiosity,” Oliver answers in hurried monotone without inflection or pauses for punctuation.

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    Now Oliver puts his blank nightcap on,¶ And every star its glim is hiding,¶ And forth to the heath is the scampsman gone,¶ His matchless cherry-black prancer riding;

  19. Alternative form of oliver.

    The last device, the Oliver, was an innovative alternative to the various forms of small tilt hammers recorded and illustrated by Agricola.

noun

  1. A small tilt hammer, worked by the foot.

    I hear, with the song that she sings me in lullaby tones, / The noise of the nailshops, the ringing of hammers, the groans / Of deep-heaving bellows, the "oliver's" thud on the die, […]