sheaf

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.

   O, let me teach you how to knit again / This scattered corn into one mutual sheaf, / These broken limbs again into one body.

2. 2
   noun

   Any collection of things bound together.

   a sheaf of paper

3. 3
   noun

   A bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, or the allowance of each archer.

   The sheaf of arrows shook, and rattled in the case.

4. 4
   noun

   A quantity of arrows, usually twenty-four.

   Arrows were anciently made of reeds, afterwards of cornel wood, and occasionally of every species of wood: but according to Roger Ascham, ash was best; arrows were reckoned by sheaves, a sheaf consisted of twenty-four arrows.

5. 5
   verb

   To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves

   to sheaf wheat

6. 6
   verb

   To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves.

   They that reap must sheaf and bind; Then to cart with Rosalind.

7. 7
   noun

   a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing

8. 8
   noun

   A sheave.

Etymology

From Middle English scheef, from Old English sċēaf, from Proto-West Germanic *skaub, from Proto-Germanic *skauba- (“sheaf”). Cognates Akin to West Frisian skeaf (“sheaf”), Dutch schoof (“sheaf”), German Schaub, Old Norse skauf (“a fox's tail”). Compare further Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌿𐍆𐍄 (skuft, “hair of the head”), German Schopf (“tuft”).