释义 |
sheaf I. \ˈshēf\ noun (plural sheaves \-ēvz\ ; also sheafs) Etymology: Middle English sheef, from Old English scēaf; akin to Old High German scoub sheaf, Old Norse skauf fox's tail, Russian chub forelock 1. a. : a quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain bound together : a bundle of grain or straw b. : a bundle of other plant stalks or flowers bound together < the altar banked with sheaves of lilies > 2. : something resembling or likened to a sheaf of grain: as a. : a collection of things bound together : bundle b. : a quantity of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver; also : the allowance of arrows (as 24) allotted to each archer c. : a cluster of similar items associated but not bound together < a sheaf of letters in her hand > d. : a representation of a sheaf (as of arrows) used as a crest e. : planes of gunnery fire of two or more pieces of a battery as a group < a converged sheaf > < parallel sheaf > 3. sheaves plural : a large number or quantity II. variant of sheave III. \ˈshēf\ noun (plural sheaves \-ēvz\) Etymology: by alteration : sheath < had another knife with a blade better than this, a leather sheaf to keep it in — Donald Windham > |