I. ˈslēv noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English slefe, sleve, from Old English slīefe; akin to Old English slēfan to slip (clothes) on, Middle Dutch slove covering, apron, Old English slūpan to slip, Old High German sliofan, Gothic sliupan to slip in, Latin lubricus slippery
1.
a. : a part of a garment covering an arm sometimes tied on at the shoulder or usually set in by stitching at the armscye or cut with a body section of the garment (as a raglan or kimono sleeve)
b. : sleevelet
postmistress in her brown paper sleeves — James Stern
2.
a. : a tubular part designed to fit over another part: as
(1) or sleeve axle : a hollow axle or quill having relative movement to a shaft inside it
(2) : a long bushing or thimble
(3) or sleeve coupling : a piece of pipe or a thimble for covering a joint or for coupling two lengths of piping
(4) : a longitudinally split quill or hollow mandrel for temporarily gripping a part
(5) : a double tube of copper having a cross section like a figure 8 into which the ends of bare wires are pushed so that when the tube is twisted an electrical connection is made
(6) : a pronged tubular spring used in a watch with a negative setting mechanism to set the stem in position
(7) : a collar of coarse mesh wire screening placed around the base of a young tree or shrub to prevent injury by rodents
(8) : a collar usually of heavy paper placed around the base of a young plant (as a tomato) to prevent injury by grubs or cutworms
b. : an open-ended flat or tubular packaging or cover
light bulbs in a sleeve
as
(1) : jacket 3f(4)
(2) : a protective cover usually made of paper, cloth, or leather over board and slipped over a book to cover all but the fore edge and backbone
3. : mantle 7a
4. : sleeve target
•
- up one's sleeve
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English sleven, from sleve sleeve
1.
a. : to furnish, cover, or surround with a sleeve
b. : to place (a part) as a sleeve upon another
2. : to wipe off or away with the sleeve
sleeving the sweat off his face — N.C.McDonald