Stave Definition
stāv
staved, staves, staving, stove
noun
staves
Any of the thin, shaped strips of wood or metal that are set edge to edge to form or strengthen the wall of a barrel, bucket, etc.
Webster's New World
Any similar slat, bar, rung, stay, etc.
Webster's New World
A rung of a ladder or chair.
American Heritage
A staff or cudgel.
American Heritage
A set of verses, or lines, of a song or poem; stanza.
Webster's New World
verb
staved, staves, staving
To crush or smash inward, often by making a hole. Often used with in:
American Heritage
To puncture or smash, esp. by breaking in a stave or staves.
Webster's New World
To beat as with a staff.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
idiom
stave in
- to break or crush inward
Webster's New World
stave off
- to ward off, hold off, or put off, as by force, guile, etc.
Webster's New World
Origin of Stave
Back-formation from staves pl. of staff
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
Back-formation from staves, the plural of staff.
From Wiktionary
Related Articles
Stave Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to stave using the buttons below.