n. [ D. roover a robber. See Rove, v. i. ] 1. One who practices robbery on the seas; a pirate. [ 1913 Webster ] Yet Pompey the Great deserveth honor more justly for scouring the seas, and taking from the rovers 846 sail of ships. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. One who wanders about by sea or land; a wanderer; a rambler. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Hence, a fickle, inconstant person. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Croquet) A ball which has passed through all the hoops and would go out if it hit the stake but is continued in play; also, the player of such a ball. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Archery) (a) Casual marks at uncertain distances. Encyc. Brit. [ 1913 Webster ] (b) A sort of arrow. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] All sorts, flights, rovers, and butt shafts. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]
At rovers, at casual marks; hence, at random; as, shooting at rovers. See def. 5 (a) above. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] Bound down on every side with many bands because it shall not run at rovers. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]
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