Sheaves

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sheaf \Sheaf\, n.; pl. {Sheaves}. [OE. sheef, shef, schef, AS.
     sce['a]f; akin to D. schoof, OHG. scoub, G. schaub, Icel.
     skauf a fox's brush, and E. shove. See {Shove}.]
     1. A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other
        grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.
        [1913 Webster]


  
              The reaper fills his greedy hands,
              And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Any collection of things bound together; a bundle;
        specifically, a bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a
        quiver, or the allowance of each archer, -- usually
        twenty-four.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The sheaf of arrows shook and rattled in the case.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  sheaf
       n : a package of several things tied together for carrying or
           storing [syn: {bundle}]
       [also: {sheaves} (pl)]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  sheaves
       See {sheaf}