sleaving

Variant of sleave

sleave definition

sleave (slēv)

noun

  1. Obsolete
    1. a fine silk thread separated from a large thread
    2. untwisted silk that tends to mat or tangle; floss
  2. Rare any tangle, as of ravelings

Etymology: < OE -slæfan, to separate; akin to slifan: see sliver

transitive verb sleaved, sleaving sleav′·ing

Obsolete to separate or pull apart (twisted or tangled threads)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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