n.
Pronunciation: ' st ā v
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, back-formation from staves, plural of staf staff
Date: 13th century
1 : 1 STAFF 1
2 : any of the narrow strips of wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (as a barrel) or structure
3 : STANZA
4 : 1 STAFF 3