— sheaflike , adj.
/sheef/ , n. , pl. sheaves , v.
n.
1. one of the bundles in which cereal plants, as wheat, rye, etc., are bound after reaping.
2. any bundle, cluster, or collection: a sheaf of papers.
v.t.
3. to bind (something) into a sheaf or sheaves.
[ bef. 900; ME shefe (n.), OE scheaf; c. D schoof sheaf, G Schaub wisp of straw, ON skauf tail of a fox ]