— sleevelike , adj.
/sleev/ , n. , v. , sleeved, sleeving .
n.
1. the part of a garment that covers the arm, varying in form and length but commonly tubular.
2. an envelope, usually of paper, for protecting a phonograph record.
3. Mach. a tubular piece, as of metal, fitting over a rod or the like.
4. laugh up or in one's sleeve , to be secretly amused or contemptuous; laugh inwardly: to laugh up one's sleeve at someone's affectations.
5. have something up one's sleeve , to have a secret plan, scheme, opinion, or the like: I could tell by her sly look that she had something up her sleeve.
v.t.
6. to furnish with sleeves.
7. Mach. to fit with a sleeve; join or fasten by means of a sleeve.
[ bef. 950; ME sleve, OE slefe (Anglian), sliefe; akin to D sloof apron ]