stave (stāv)
n.

1. A narrow strip of wood forming part of the sides of a barrel, tub, or similar structure.
2. A rung of a ladder or chair.
3. A staff or cudgel.
4. Music. See staff¹ (sense 5).
5. A set of verses; a stanza.

v., staved, or stove (stōv), stav·ing, staves.

v.tr.

1. To break in or puncture the staves of.
2. To break or smash a hole in.
3. To crush or smash inward.
4. To furnish with staves.

v.intr.
To be or become crushed in.

phrasal verb:

stave off

1. To keep or hold off; repel: "For 12 years, we've sought to stave off this ultimate threat of disaster" (New York Times).

[Back-formation from staves, pl. of STAFF¹ .]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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