[shave] vb shaved ; shaved or shav.en ; shav.ing [ME, fr. OE scafan; akin to Lith skobti to pluck, L scabere to scratch, and perh. to Gk koptein to cut--more at capon] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to remove a thin layer from b: to cut off in thin layers or shreds: slice c: to cut off closely
2. a: to sever the hair from (the head or another part of the body) close to the roots b: to cut off (hair or beard) close to the skin 3 a: to discount (a note) at an exorbitant rate b: deduct, reduce
4: to come close to or touch lightly in passing ~ vi 1: to cut off hair or beard close to the skin
2: to proceed with difficulty: scrape
[2]shave n (bef. 12c) 1: shaver 3
2: a thin slice: shaving
3: an act or process of shaving