Jove

[johv] /dʒoʊv/
noun
1.
Jupiter (def 1).
2.
Archaic. the planet Jupiter.
Idioms
3.
by Jove!, (an exclamation used to emphasize an accompanying remark or to express surprise, approval, etc.):
It was a good fight, by Jove!
Origin
1325-75; Middle English < Latin Jov- (oblique stem of compound nominative Juppiter father Jove), akin. to deus god; cognate with Greek Zeús (genitive Diós) Zeus
British Dictionary definitions for by jove

Jove

/dʒəʊv/
noun
1.
another name for Jupiter1
2.
by Jove, an exclamation of surprise or excitement
Word Origin
C14: from Old Latin Jovis Jupiter
Word Origin and History for by jove

Jove

Roman god of the bright sky, late 14c., from Latin Iovis, from PIE *dyeu- "to shine," with derivatives referring to the sky, heavens, a god (see diurnal, and cf. Zeus). In classical Latin, the compound Iuppiter replaced Old Latin Iovis as the god's name.

Idioms and Phrases with by jove

by Jove

Also, by cracky. Used to express surprise or emphasis. For example, By Jove, I was glad to see her, or It was a great day, by cracky. These mild oaths are euphemisms, the first for “by Jesus” or “by God” (Jove is another name for Jupiter, the principal Roman god), and the folksy variant by cracky for “by Christ.” Both idioms may be dying out.