stave

[ steyv ]

noun

1. one of the thin, narrow, shaped pieces of wood that form the sides of a cask, tub, or similar vessel.
2. a stick, rod, pole, or the like.
3. a rung of a ladder, chair, etc.
4. Prosody.
   1. a verse or stanza of a poem or song.
   2. the alliterating sound in a line of verse, as the w- sound in wind in the willows.
5. Music. staff ¹( def 10 ).

verb (used with object)

, staved or stove, stav·ing.

1. to break in a stave or staves of (a cask or barrel) so as to release the wine, liquor, or other contents.
2. to release (wine, liquor, etc.) by breaking the cask or barrel.
3. to break or crush (something) inward (often followed by in ).
4. to break (a hole) in, especially in the hull of a boat.
5. to break to pieces; splinter; smash.
6. to furnish with a stave or staves.
7. to beat with a stave or staff.

verb (used without object)

, staved or stove, stav·ing.

1. to become staved in, as a boat; break in or up.
2. to move along rapidly.

verb phrase

1. 1. to put, ward, or keep off, as by force or evasion.
   2. to prevent in time; forestall:

      He wasn't able to stave off bankruptcy.

stave

/ steɪv /

noun

1. any one of a number of long strips of wood joined together to form a barrel, bucket, boat hull, etc
2. any of various bars, slats, or rods, usually of wood, such as a rung of a ladder or a crosspiece bracing the legs of a chair
3. any stick, staff, etc
4. a stanza or verse of a poem
5. music
   1. an individual group of five lines and four spaces used in staff notation
   2. another word for staff 1

verb

1. often foll by in to break or crush (the staves of a boat, barrel, etc) or (of the staves of a boat) to be broken or crushed
2. trusually foll byin to burst or force (a hole in something)
3. tr to provide (a ladder, chair, etc) with a stave or staves
4. tr to sprain (a finger, toe, etc)

Other Words From

• un·staved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stave¹

First recorded in 1125–75; (noun) Middle English, back formation from staves; (verb) derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stave¹

C14: back formation from staves , plural of staff ¹

Synonym Study

See verse.

Example Sentences

Analysts said the step might give Ukraine more ability to stave off Russian attacks on its cities, but pointed out that Moscow has already moved some aircraft and missile installations out of reach.

From Los Angeles Times

Climate scientists say developing countries need billions of dollars of extra investment to become net zero, where they are not contributing to climate change, and stave off the effects of rising temperatures.

From BBC

The Dobbs decision is also widely credited with helping to stave off a “red wave” of victories in the 2022 midterm elections for Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

But when her daughter got sick, Fails expected that doctors had an obligation to do everything in their power to stave off a potentially deadly emergency, even if that meant losing Lillian.

From Salon

After staving off elimination in Game 4, the Dodgers had a quote displayed on a screen in their clubhouse before the series’ decisive game:

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anticipate
• avert
• avoid
• counteract
• foil
• forestall
• halt
• hold off
• preclude
• put an end to
• rule out
• thwart
• ward off