Grove

In modern Druidism, a grove refers to a congregation of druids, much in the sense of a church, lodge, or coven. It derives from the ancient practice of meeting in nemetons, or sacred groves of trees.

As the word Druid may derive from "drus," meaning "oak," it would only be logical that a group of "oak people" (druid) would be a grove.

Grove (?), n. [AS. graf, fr. grafan to dig.

The original sense seems to have been a lane cut through trees. See Grave, v., and cf. Groove.] A smaller group of trees than a forest, and without underwood, planted, or growing naturally as if arranged by art; a wood of small extent.

The Hebrew word Asherah, rendered grove in the Authorized Version of the Bible, is left untranslated in the Revised Version. Almost all modern interpreters agree that by Asherah an idol or image of some kind is intended.

 

© Webster 1913.