Ste″ven (?), n. [AS. stefn, stemn, voice; akin to D. stem, G. stimme, Goth. stibna.] 1. Voice; speech; language.
Ye have as merry a steven
As any angel hath that is in heaven. Chaucer.
2. An outcry; a loud call; a clamor. Spenser.
To set steven, to make an appointment.
They setten steven for to meet
To playen at the dice. Chaucer.