Word Study
sheave
CIDE DICTIONARY
sheave, n. [Akin to OD. schijve orb, disk, wheel, D. schiff, G. scheibe, Icel. skīfa a shaving, slice; cf. Gr. a staff. Cf. Shift, v. , Shive.].
A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley. [1913 Webster]
Sheave hole, a channel cut in a mast, yard, rail, or other timber, in which to fix a sheave.
sheave, v. t. [See Sheaf of straw.].
To gather and bind into a sheaf or sheaves; hence, to collect. Ashmole. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
sheave, v.tr. make into sheaves.
sheave, n. a grooved wheel in a pulley-block etc., for a rope to run on.
Etymology
ME f. OE scife (unrecorded) f. Gmc
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