D defs.my
Entry 5 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Sheaf

/shēf/ · IPA /ʃiːf/
01 n. A sheave.
  1. 1.
    A sheave.(Mech.) [R.]
02 n. A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.
pl. Sheaves ((#))
  1. 1.
    A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.
    “The reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands.” Dryden.
  2. 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.
    “The sheaf of arrows shook and rattled in the case.” Dryden.
03 v. t. To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves; as, to sheaf wheat.
  1. 1.
    To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves; as, to sheaf wheat.
04 v. i. To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves.
  1. 1.
    To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves.
    “They that reap must sheaf and bind.” Shak.