sheave

1
[ sheev ]
See synonyms for: sheavesheaves on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),sheaved, sheav·ing.
  1. to gather, collect, or bind into a sheaf or sheaves.

Origin of sheave

1
First recorded in 1570–80; derivative of sheaf

Words Nearby sheave

Other definitions for sheave (2 of 2)

sheave2
[ shiv, sheev ]

noun
  1. a pulley for hoisting or hauling, having a grooved rim for retaining a wire rope.

  2. a wheel with a grooved rim, for transmitting force to a cable or belt.

Origin of sheave

2
1300–50; Middle English schive; akin to Dutch schijf sheave, German Scheibe disk

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sheave in a sentence

  • Upon this sheave, a smaller horizontal pulley x′ rubs, whose upper face is covered with leather to increase the friction.

  • The water was smooth as oil, and so still that not a creaking rope or rattling sheave disturbed the deathlike silence.

    The Log of a Sea-Waif | Frank T. Bullen
  • Opening my eyes, I thrust at the opening of the sheave with the end of the line; but it was knotted, and would not go through.

    The Log of a Sea-Waif | Frank T. Bullen
  • Unfortunately the halliards had somehow got jammed aloft in the sheave, and the sail would not come down.

    The Voyage of the Aurora | Harry Collingwood
  • I could see men moving about; I could hear the creaking of the blocks, as the light roll drew a rope over a sheave.

    Jim Davis | John Masefield

British Dictionary definitions for sheave (1 of 2)

sheave1

/ (ʃiːv) /


verb
  1. (tr) to gather or bind into sheaves

British Dictionary definitions for sheave (2 of 2)

sheave2

/ (ʃiːv) /


noun
  1. a wheel with a grooved rim, esp one used as a pulley

Origin of sheave

2
C14: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German scība disc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012