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sleave

noun
\ ˈslēv How to pronounce sleave (audio) \

Definition of sleave

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

sleave

verb
sleaved; sleaving; sleaves

Definition of sleave (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

obsolete
: to separate (silk thread) into filaments

First Known Use of sleave

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1628, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sleave

Verb and Noun

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

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