Main Entry:

sheaf

Pronunciation:

\ˈshēf\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural sheaves \ˈshēvz\

Etymology:

Middle English sheef, from Old English scēaf; akin to Old High German scoub sheaf, Russian chub forelock

Date:

before 12th century

1 : a quantity of the stalks and ears of a cereal grass or sometimes other plant material bound together 2 : something resembling a sheaf of grain <a sheaf of papers> 3 : a large amount or number <won a sheaf of awards>

— sheaf·like \ˈshēf-ˌlīk\ adjective