Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sidewalk artist: "screeve" refers to a person, especially in British slang, who draws pictures on the pavement (sidewalk) to earn money from passersby.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To work as a sidewalk artist: "screeve" means to practice the craft of drawing on the pavement for money, often using chalk or pastels.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The screeve set up his easel near the busy market square. (A sidewalk artist prepared his equipment in a public area.)
  • Tourists often stop to watch a screeve at work. (Passersby observe a pavement artist creating art.)

• Verb:

  • He learned to screeve from his father, who had been a pavement artist for decades. (He acquired the skill of drawing on sidewalks for income.)
  • Many screeve during the summer months when foot traffic is highest. (Many artists practice this trade when many people walk by.)

Advanced Usage

• "to screeve for a living": to earn one's livelihood by drawing on the pavement.

  • After losing his job, he began to screeve for a living. (He started working as a sidewalk artist to support himself.)

• "screeving scene": the community or culture of pavement artists.

  • The screeving scene in London has a long history. (The culture of sidewalk artists in London is well-established.)

Variants and Related Words

• Screever (n): a variant spelling of "screeve," meaning a sidewalk artist.

  • The screever used colourful chalks to create a portrait. (The pavement artist used bright drawing materials.)

• Screeving (n): the act or practice of drawing on the pavement.

  • Screeving requires skill and patience. (The practice of sidewalk art demands talent and persistence.)

Synonyms

• Pavement artist: a person who draws on the street for money.
• Sidewalk artist: an alternative term with the same meaning.

Phrasal Verbs

• Screeve off: (rare) to leave a place after finishing a pavement drawing.
  • He screeved off as the rain began to fall. (He departed from his spot when it started to rain.)

Related Idioms

• Chalk it up: (informal) to attribute or credit something, often used in the context of pavement art.
  • He chalked up his success to his screeving skills. (He credited his pavement art abilities for his achievements.)