Stave

/steɪv/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A vertical wooden post or plank in a building or structure, particularly in a barrel or tank.

The barrel is made of staves that are tightly fitted together.

The five lines and four spaces on which music is written.

The notes were carefully placed on the stave for the musicians to read.

verb

To break something by force; to cause to break or shatter.

They staved the door in during the storm to gain entrance to the building.

To avert or delay something undesirable.

They worked hard to stave off the impending disaster.

Middle English stave, from Old English stafa, meaning post or rod.

stave off

To prevent something undesirable from happening.

stave in

To cause something to collapse inward.

staves of a barrel

The vertical planks that make up the sides of a barrel.

staff

A pole or rod, often used for support or as a weapon.

stick

A slender piece of wood or other material.

To stave up

He staved up the party with his wild stories.