Sheave - Sheet

Prev Next

Sheave (?), n. [Akin to OD. schijve orb, disk, wheel, D. schiff, G. scheibe, Icel. skīfa a shaving, slice; cf. Gr. ��� a staff. Cf. , v., .] 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.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Sheave hole , a channel cut in a mast, yard, rail, or other timber, in which to fix a sheave.
[ Webster]

Sheave, v. t. [See of straw.] To gather and bind into a sheaf or sheaves; hence, to collect. Ashmole.
[ Webster]

Sheaved (?), a. Made of straw. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

Shebander (?), n. [Per. shāhbandar.] A harbor master, or ruler of a port, in the East Indies. [Written also shebunder.]
[ Webster]

Shebang (?), n. [Cf. .] 1. A jocosely depreciative name for a dwelling or shop; a primitive dwelling; a shanty. [Slang, U.S.]
[ Webster]

2. The structure of an object, process, organization, or anything viewed as complicated; -- used primarily in the phrase Coloq. the whole shebang ; as, it comes with unnecessary frills, but you have to buy the whole shebang. [informal]
[PJC]

3. (computers) [Possibly derived from shell bang; the character ! is referred to in some computer contexts as bang.] The character sequence #!, which frequently begins shell scripts in a Unix system.
[PJC]

Shebeen (?), n. [Of Irish origin; cf. Ir. seapa a shop.] A low public house; especially, a place where spirits and other excisable liquors are illegally and privately sold. [Ireland]
[ Webster]

Shechinah (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

Shecklaton (?), n. [Cf. .] A kind of gilt leather. See . [Obs.] Spenser.
[ Webster]

Shed (shĕd), n. [The same word as shade. See .] 1. A slight or temporary structure built to shade or shelter something; a structure often open in front; an outbuilding; a hut; as, a wagon shed; a wood shed.
[ Webster]

The first Aletes born in lowly shed. Fairfax.
[ Webster]

Sheds of reeds which summer's heat repel. Sandys.
[ Webster]

2. (Aëronautics) A covered structure for housing aircraft; a hangar.
[Webster Suppl.]

Shed, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shed; p. pr. & vb. n. Shedding.] [OE. scheden, sch�den, to pour, to part, AS. scādan, sceádan, to pert, to separate; akin to OS. sk��an, OFries. sk�tha, G. scheiden, OHG. sceidan, Goth. skaidan, and probably to Lith. skëdu I part, separate, L. scindere to cleave, to split, Gr. ���, Skr. chid, and perch. also to L. caedere to cut. √159. Cf. , , , , , .] 1. To separate; to divide. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Robert of Brunne.
[ Webster]

2. To part with; to throw off or give forth from one's self; to emit; to diffuse; to cause to emanate or flow; to pour forth or out; to spill; as, the sun sheds light; she shed tears; the clouds shed rain.
[ Webster]

Did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood? Shak.
[ Webster]

Twice seven consenting years have shed
Their utmost bounty on thy head.
Wordsworth.
[ Webster]

3. To let fall; to throw off, as a natural covering of hair, feathers, shell; to cast; as, fowls shed their feathers; serpents shed their skins; trees shed leaves.
[ Webster]

4. To cause to flow off without penetrating; as, a tight roof, or covering of oiled cloth, sheeds water.
[ Webster]

5. To sprinkle; to intersperse; to cover. [R.] “Her hair . . . is shed with gray.” B. Jonson.
[ Webster]

6. (Weaving) To divide, as the warp threads, so as to form a shed, or passageway, for the shuttle.
[ Webster]

Shed, v. i. 1. To fall in drops; to pour. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Such a rain down from the welkin shadde. Chaucer.
[ Webster]

2. To let fall the parts, as seeds or fruit; to throw off a covering or envelope.
[ Webster]

White oats are apt to shed most as they lie, and black as they stand. Mortimer.
[ Webster]

Shed, n. 1. A parting; a separation; a division. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
[ Webster]

They say also that the manner of making the shed of newwedded wives' hair with the iron head of a javelin came up then likewise. Sir T. North.
[ Webster]

2. The act of shedding or spilling; -- used only in composition, as in bloodshed.
[ Webster]

3. That which parts, divides, or sheds; -- used in composition, as in watershed.
[ Webster]

4. (Weaving) The passageway between the threads of the warp through which the shuttle is thrown, having a sloping top and bottom made by raising and lowering the alternate threads.
[ Webster]

Shedder (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, sheds; as, a shedder of blood; a shedder of tears.
[ Webster]

2. (Zoöl.) A crab in the act of casting its shell, or immediately afterwards while still soft; -- applied especially to the edible crabs, which are most prized while in this state.
[ Webster]

Shedding (?), n. 1. The act of shedding, separating, or casting off or out; as, the shedding of blood.
[ Webster]

2. That which is shed, or cast off. [R.] Wordsworth.
[ Webster]

{ Sheelfa (?), Shilfa (?), } n. (Zoöl.) The chaffinch; -- so named from its call note. [Prov. Eng.]
[ Webster]

Sheeling (?), n. [Icel. skjōl a shelter, a cover; akin to Dan. & Sw. skjul.] A hut or small cottage in an exposed or a retired place (as on a mountain or at the seaside) such as is used by shepherds, fishermen, sportsmen, etc.; a summer cottage; also, a shed. [Written also sheel, shealing, sheiling, etc.] [Scot.]
[ Webster]

Sheely (?), n. (Zoöl.) Same as .
[ Webster]

Sheen (?), a. [OE. sehene, AS. sciéne, sc�ne, sc�ne, splendid, beautiful; akin to OFries. sk�ne, sk�ne, OS. sc�ni, D. schoon, G. schön, OHG. sc�ni, Goth, skanus, and E. shew; the original meaning being probably, visible, worth seeing. It is not akin to E. shine. See , v. t.] Bright; glittering; radiant; fair; showy; sheeny. [R., except in poetry.]
[ Webster]

This holy maiden, that is so bright and sheen. Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Up rose each warrier bold and brave,
Glistening in filed steel and armor sheen.
Fairfax.
[ Webster]

Sheen, v. i. To shine; to glisten. [Poetic]
[ Webster]

This town,
That, sheening far, celestial seems to be.
Byron.
[ Webster]

Sheen, n. Brightness; splendor; glitter. “Throned in celestial sheen.” Milton.
[ Webster]

Sheenly, adv. Brightly. [R.] Mrs. Browning.
[ Webster]

Sheeny (?), a. Bright; shining; radiant; sheen. “A sheeny summer morn.” Tennyson.
[ Webster]

Sheep (?), n. sing. & pl. [OE. shep, scheep, AS. sc�p, sceáp; akin to OFries. sk�p, LG. & D. schaap, G. schaf, OHG. scāf, Skr. chāga. √295. Cf. .] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of ruminants of the genus Ovis, native of the higher mountains of both hemispheres, but most numerous in Asia.
[ Webster]

☞ The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) varies much in size, in the length and texture of its wool, the form and size of its horns, the length of its tail, etc. It was domesticated in prehistoric ages, and many distinct breeds have been produced; as the merinos, celebrated for their fine wool; the Cretan sheep, noted for their long horns; the fat-tailed, or Turkish, sheep, remarkable for the size and fatness of the tail, which often has to be supported on trucks; the Southdowns, in which the horns are lacking; and an Asiatic breed which always has four horns.
[ Webster]

2. A weak, bashful, silly fellow. Ainsworth.
[ Webster]

3. pl. Fig.: The people of God, as being under the government and protection of Christ, the great Shepherd.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Rocky mountain sheep .(Zoöl.) See . -- Coloq. Maned sheep . (Zoöl.) See . -- Coloq. Sheep bot (Zoöl.), the larva of the sheep botfly. See . -- Coloq. Sheep dog (Zoöl.), a shepherd dog, or collie. -- Coloq. Sheep laurel (Bot.), a small North American shrub (Kalmia angustifolia) with deep rose-colored flowers in corymbs. -- Coloq. Sheep pest (Bot.), an Australian plant (Acæna ovina) related to the burnet. The fruit is covered with barbed spines, by which it adheres to the wool of sheep. -- Coloq. Sheep run , an extensive tract of country where sheep range and graze. -- Coloq. Sheep's beard (Bot.), a cichoraceous herb (Urospermum Dalechampii) of Southern Europe; -- so called from the conspicuous pappus of the achenes. -- Coloq. Sheep's bit (Bot.), a European herb (Jasione montana) having much the appearance of scabious. -- Coloq. Sheep pox (Med.), a contagious disease of sheep, characterixed by the development of vesicles or pocks upon the skin. -- Coloq. Sheep scabious . (Bot.) Same as . -- Coloq. Sheep shears , shears in which the blades form the two ends of a steel bow, by the elasticity of which they open as often as pressed together by the hand in cutting; -- so called because used to cut off the wool of sheep. -- Coloq. Sheep sorrel . (Bot.), a prerennial herb (Rumex Acetosella) growing naturally on poor, dry, gravelly soil. Its leaves have a pleasant acid taste like sorrel. -- Coloq. Sheep's-wool (Zoöl.), the highest grade of Florida commercial sponges (Spongia equina, variety gossypina). -- Coloq. Sheep tick (Zoöl.), a wingless parasitic insect (Melophagus ovinus) belonging to the Diptera. It fixes its proboscis in the skin of the sheep and sucks the blood, leaving a swelling. Called also sheep pest, and sheep louse. -- Coloq. Sheep walk , a pasture for sheep; a sheep run. -- Coloq. Wild sheep . (Zoöl.) See , , and .
[ Webster]

Sheepback (?), n. (Geol.) A rounded knoll of rock resembling the back of a sheep. -- produced by glacial action. Called also roche moutonnée; -- usually in the plural.
[ Webster]

Sheepberry (?), n. (Bot.) The edible fruit of a small North American tree of the genus Viburnum (V. Lentago), having white flowers in flat cymes; also, the tree itself. Called also nannyberry.
[ Webster]

Sheepbite (?), v. i. To bite or nibble like a sheep; hence, to practice petty thefts. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

Sheepbiter (?), n. One who practices petty thefts. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

There are political sheepbiters as well as pastoral; betrayers of public trusts as well as of private. L'Estrange.
[ Webster]

{ Sheepcot (?), Sheepcote (?), } n. A small inclosure for sheep; a pen; a fold.
[ Webster]

Sheep-faced (?), a. Over-bashful; sheepish.
[ Webster]

Sheepfold (?), n. A fold or pen for sheep; a place where sheep are collected or confined.
[ Webster]

Sheep-headed (?), a. Silly; simple-minded; stupid. Taylor (1630)
[ Webster]

Sheephook (?), n. A hook fastened to pole, by which shepherds lay hold on the legs or necks of their sheep; a shepherd's crook. Dryden.
[ Webster]

Sheepish, a. 1. Of or pertaining to sheep. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

2. Like a sheep; bashful; over-modest; meanly or foolishly diffident; timorous to excess.
[ Webster]

Wanting change of company, he will, when he comes abroad, be a sheepish or conceited creature. Locke.
[ Webster]

-- Sheepishly, adv. -- Sheepishness, n.
[ Webster]

Sheepmaster (?), n. A keeper or feeder of sheep; also, an owner of sheep. 2 Kings iii. 4.
[ Webster]

Sheeprack (?), n. (Zoöl.) The starling.
[ Webster]

Sheep's-eye (?), n. A modest, diffident look; a loving glance; -- commonly in the plural.
[ Webster]

I saw her just now give him the languishing eye, as they call it; . . . of old called the sheep's-eye. Wycherley.
[ Webster]

Sheep's-foot (?), n. A printer's tool consisting of a metal bar formed into a hammer head at one end and a claw at the other, -- used as a lever and hammer.
[ Webster]

Sheepshank (?), n. (Naut.) A hitch by which a rope may be temporarily shortened.
[ Webster]

Sheepshead (�), n. [So called because of the fancied resemblance of its head and front teeth to those of a sheep.] (Zoöl.) A large and valuable sparoid food fish (Archosargus probatocephalus syn. Diplodus probatocephalus) found on the Atlantic coast of the United States. It often weighs from ten to twelve pounds.
[ Webster]

☞ The name is also locally, in a loose way, applied to various other fishes, as the butterfish, the fresh-water drumfish, the parrot fish, the porgy, and the moonfish.
[ Webster]

Sheep-shearer (?), n. One who shears, or cuts off the wool from, sheep.
[ Webster]

Sheep-shearing (?), n. 1. Act of shearing sheep.
[ Webster]

2. A feast at the time of sheep-shearing. Shak.
[ Webster]

Sheepskin (?), n. 1. The skin of a sheep; or, leather prepared from it.
[ Webster]

2. A diploma; -- so called because usually written or printed on parchment prepared from the skin of the sheep. [College Cant]
[ Webster]

Sheepsplit (?), n. A split of a sheepskin; one of the thin sections made by splitting a sheepskin with a cutting knife or machine.
[ Webster]

Sheepy (?), a. Resembling sheep; sheepish. Testament of Love.
[ Webster]

Sheer (?), a. [OE. shere, skere, pure, bright, Icel. sk�rr; akin to skīrr, AS. scīr, OS. skīri, MHG. schīr, G. schier, Dan. sk�r, Sw. skär, Goth. skeirs clear, and E. shine. √157. See , v. i.] 1. Bright; clear; pure; unmixed.Sheer ale.” Shak.
[ Webster]

Thou sheer, immaculate, and silver fountain. Shak.
[ Webster]

2. Very thin or transparent; -- applied to fabrics; as, sheer muslin.
[ Webster]

3. Being only what it seems to be; obvious; simple; mere; downright; as, sheer folly; sheer nonsense. “A sheer impossibility.” De Quincey.
[ Webster]

It is not a sheer advantage to have several strings to one's bow. M. Arnold.
[ Webster]

4. Stright up and down; vertical; prpendicular.
[ Webster]

A sheer precipice of a thousand feet. J. D. Hooker.
[ Webster]

It was at least
Nine roods of sheer ascent.
Wordsworth.
[ Webster]

Sheer, adv. Clean; quite; at once. [Obs.] Milton.
[ Webster]

Sheer, v. t. [See .] To shear. [Obs.] Dryden.
[ Webster]

Sheer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sheered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sheering.] [D. sheren to shear, cut, withdraw, warp. See .] To decline or deviate from the line of the proper course; to turn aside; to swerve; as, a ship sheers from her course; a horse sheers at a bicycle.
[ Webster]

Coloq. To sheer off , to turn or move aside to a distance; to move away. -- Coloq. To sheer up , to approach obliquely.
[ Webster]

Sheer, n. 1. (Naut.) (a) The longitudinal upward curvature of the deck, gunwale, and lines of a vessel, as when viewed from the side. (b) The position of a vessel riding at single anchor and swinging clear of it.
[ Webster]

2. A turn or change in a course.
[ Webster]

Give the canoe a sheer and get nearer to the shore. Cooper.
[ Webster]

3. pl. Shears See .
[ Webster]

Coloq. Sheer batten (Shipbuilding), a long strip of wood to guide the carpenters in following the sheer plan. -- Coloq. Sheer boom , a boom slanting across a stream to direct floating logs to one side. -- Coloq. Sheer hulk . See Shear hulk, under . -- Coloq. Sheer plan , or Coloq. Sheer draught (Shipbuilding), a projection of the lines of a vessel on a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the middle line of the vessel. -- Coloq. Sheer pole (Naut.), an iron rod lashed to the shrouds just above the dead-eyes and parallel to the ratlines. -- Coloq. Sheer strake (Shipbuilding), the strake under the gunwale on the top side. Totten. -- Coloq. To break sheer (Naut.), to deviate from sheer, and risk fouling the anchor.
[ Webster]

Sheerly (?), adv. At once; absolutely. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Sheerwater (?), n. (Zoöl.) The shearwater.
[ Webster]

Sheet (?), n. [OE. shete, schete, AS. scēte, scȳte, fr. sceát a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment); originally, that which shoots out, from the root of AS. sceótan to shoot. √159. See , v. t.] In general, a large, broad piece of anything thin, as paper, cloth, etc.; a broad, thin portion of any substance; an expanded superficies. Specifically: (a) A broad piece of cloth, usually linen or cotton, used for wrapping the body or for a covering; especially, one used as an article of bedding next to the body.
[ Webster]

He fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners. Acts x. 10, 11.
[ Webster]

If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me
In one of those same sheets.
Shak.
[ Webster]

(b) A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded, whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a letter; a newspaper, etc. (c) A single signature of a book or a pamphlet; in pl., the book itself.
[ Webster]

To this the following sheets are intended for a full and distinct answer. Waterland.
[ Webster]

(d) A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like; a plate; a leaf. (e) A broad expanse of water, or the like. “The two beautiful sheets of water.” Macaulay. (f) A sail. Dryden. (g) (Geol.) An extensive bed of an eruptive rock intruded between, or overlying, other strata.
[ Webster]

2. [AS. sceáta. See the Etymology above.] (Naut.) (a) A rope or chain which regulates the angle of adjustment of a sail in relation in relation to the wind; -- usually attached to the lower corner of a sail, or to a yard or a boom. (b) pl. The space in the forward or the after part of a boat where there are no rowers; as, fore sheets; stern sheets.
[ Webster]

Sheet is often used adjectively, or in combination, to denote that the substance to the name of which it is prefixed is in the form of sheets, or thin plates or leaves; as, sheet brass, or sheet-brass; sheet glass, or sheet-glass; sheet gold, or sheet-gold; sheet iron, or sheet-iron, etc.
[ Webster]

Coloq. A sheet in the wind , half drunk. [Sailors' Slang] -- Coloq. Both sheets in the wind , very drunk. [Sailors' Slang] -- Coloq. In sheets , lying flat or expanded; not folded, or folded but not bound; -- said especially of printed sheets. -- Coloq. Sheet bend (Naut.), a bend or hitch used for temporarily fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an eye. -- Coloq. Sheet lightning , Coloq. Sheet piling , etc. See under , , etc.
[ Webster]

Sheet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sheeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sheeting.] 1. To furnish with a sheet or sheets; to wrap in, or cover with, a sheet, or as with a sheet. “The sheeted dead.” “When snow the pasture sheets.” Shak.
[ Webster]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z