n. pl. [ OE. evese, pl. eveses, AS. efese eaves, brim, brink; akin to OHG. obisa, opasa, porch, hall, MHG. obse eaves, Icel. ups, Goth. ubizwa porch; cf. Icel. upsar-dropi, OSw. opsä-drup water dropping from the eaves. Probably from the root of E. over. The
And closing eaves of wearied eyes. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
Eaves board (Arch.),
Eaves channel,
Eaves gutter,
Eaves trough
Eaves molding (Arch.),
Eaves swallow (Zoöl.).
v. i. [ Eaves + drop. ] To stand under the eaves, near a window or at the door, of a house, to listen and learn what is said within doors; hence, to listen secretly to what is said in private. [ 1913 Webster ]
To eavesdrop in disguises. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The water which falls in drops from the eaves of a house. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who stands under the eaves, or near the window or door of a house, to listen; hence, a secret listener. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Law) The habit of lurking about dwelling houses, and other places where persons meet for private intercourse, secretly listening to what is said, and then tattling it abroad. The offense is indictable at common law. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]