stave
//steɪv//
Noun
staveSingular
stavesPlural
1
One of the thin, narrow strips of wood that form the sides of a barrel, bucket, or similar container.
The cooper carefully fitted each stave together to form the barrel.
2
A set of five horizontal lines and four spaces on which musical notes are written.
The composer wrote the melody on the stave.
3
A strong stick or pole, especially one used as a weapon or walking aid.
The old shepherd walked through the hills with a wooden stave.
Verb
staveInfinitive
stavePresent tense
stavedPast tense
stavedPast participle
stavingPresent participle
stavesThird-person singular
1
To break a hole in something, especially a boat or barrel.
The rocks staved the hull of the ship.
2
To ward off or delay something undesirable (usually used with 'off').
She ate a snack to stave off hunger until dinner.