sleave

1 of 2

noun

ˈslēv How to pronounce sleave (audio)
archaic
: skein
sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care—William Shakespeare

sleave

2 of 2

verb

sleaved; sleaving; sleaves

transitive verb

obsolete
: to separate (silk thread) into filaments

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English *sleven, from Old English -slǣfan to cut

First Known Use

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleave was in 1591

Phrases Containing sleave

Dictionary Entries Near sleave

Sleaford

sleave

sleave silk

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sleave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleave. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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