n.
Pronunciation: ' sh ā v
Function: verb
Inflected Form: shaved ; shaved or shav · en \ ' sh ā -v ə n \ ; shav · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scafan; akin to Lithuanian skobti to pluck, Latin scabere to scratch, and perhaps to Greek koptein to cut ― more at CAPON
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to remove a thin layer from b : to cut off in thin layers or shreds : SLICE c : to cut off closely
2 a : to sever the hair from (the head or another part of the body) close to the roots b : to cut off (hair or beard) close to the skin
3 a : to discount (a note) at an exorbitant rate b : DEDUCT , REDUCE c : to conspire to score fewer (points) than one is capable of (as to affect gambling outcomes)
4 : to come close to or touch lightly in passing
intransitive verb
1 : to cut off hair or beard close to the skin
2 : to proceed with difficulty : SCRAPE