n.
Pronunciation: ' sh ē f
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural sheaves \ ' sh ē vz \
Etymology: Middle English sheef, from Old English sc ē af; akin to Old High German scoub sheaf, Russian chub forelock
Date: before 12th century
1 : a quantity of the stalks and ears of a cereal grass or sometimes other plant material bound together
2 : something resembling a sheaf of grain <a sheaf of papers>
3 : a large amount or number <won a sheaf of awards>
– sheaf · like \ ' sh ē f- ˌ l ī k \ adjective