1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a large rectangular piece of cotton or other fabric, used esp. in pairs as inner bedclothes.
2 a a broad usu. thin flat piece of material (e.g. paper or metal). b (attrib.) made in sheets (sheet iron).
3 a wide continuous surface or expanse of water, ice, flame, falling rain, etc.
4 a set of unseparated postage stamps.
5 derog. a newspaper, esp. a disreputable one.
6 a complete piece of paper of the size in which it was made, for printing and folding as part of a book.
--v.
1. tr. provide or cover with sheets.
2 tr. form into sheets.
3 intr. (of rain etc.) fall in sheets.
Phrases and idioms:
sheet lightning a lightning flash with its brightness diffused by reflection. sheet metal metal formed into thin sheets by rolling, hammering, etc. sheet music music published in cut or folded sheets, not bound.
Etymology: OE scete, sciete f. Gmc 2. n.1 a rope or chain attached to the lower corner of a sail for securing or controlling it.
2 (in pl.) the space at the bow or stern of an open boat.
Phrases and idioms:
flowing sheets sheets eased for free movement in the wind. sheet anchor
1. a second anchor for use in emergencies.
2 a person or thing depended on in the last resort. sheet bend a method of temporarily fastening one rope through the loop of another.
Etymology: ME f. OE sceata, ON skaut (as SHEET(1))