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sleave

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noun \ ˈslēv \

Definition of sleave

archaic
:skein
  • sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care
  • —William Shakespeare

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Origin and Etymology of sleave

2sleave

2

sleave

verb

Definition of sleave

transitive verb
obsolete
:to separate (silk thread) into filaments

Origin and Etymology of sleave

Middle English *sleven, from Old English -slǣfan to cut

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