sheaf

Definition

A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.

Etymology

From Middle English scheef, from Old English sċēaf, from Proto-West Germanic *skaub, from Proto-Germanic *skauba- (“sheaf”). Cognates Akin to West Frisian skeaf (“sheaf”), Dutch schoof (“sheaf”), German Schaub, Old Norse skauf (“a fox's tail”). Compare further Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌿𐍆𐍄 (skuft, “hair of the head”), German Schopf (“tuft”).

Example Sentences

• "O, let me teach you how to knit again / This scattered corn into one mutual sheaf, / These broken limbs again into one body."
• "Ev’n while the Reaper fills his greedy hands, / And binds the golden Sheafs in brittle bands"
• "a sheaf of paper"