n. & v.
n. 1 each of the curved pieces of wood forming the sides of a cask, pail, etc. 2 = STAFF(1) n. 3. 3 a stanza or verse. 4 the rung of a ladder.
v.tr. (past and past part. stove or staved) 1 break a hole in. 2 crush or knock out of shape. 3 fit or furnish (a cask etc.) with staves. stave in crush by forcing inwards. stave off avert or defer (danger or misfortune). stave rhyme alliteration, esp. in old Germanic poetry.
[ ME, back-form. f. staves, pl. of STAFF(1) ]