Sheave Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sheave

[ʃiːv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

agricultural

A sheaf of grain or other harvested crop

Synonyms

bundle, shock, stack.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sheave	This word is primarily used in agriculture or historical contexts to refer to a bundle of grain stalks, such as wheat, that is tied together after being cut. It has a somewhat old-fashioned ring to it. The farmer gathered the wheat into a sheave before taking it to the barn. In medieval times, a sheave of barley was a common sight during harvest season.
bundle	This is a more general term that can be used in everyday language to refer to a collection of items that are tied or wrapped together. It can apply to a wide range of objects, not just grains or crops. She carried a bundle of newspapers to the recycling bin. There was a bundle of clothes on the bed, waiting to be folded.
stack	This can refer to a neat pile of similar objects, often arranged systematically. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can describe anything that is arranged in a pile, not necessarily agricultural products. He placed the books in a stack on his desk. There was a stack of paperwork waiting for her attention.
shock	In an agricultural setting, this refers specifically to a group of sheaves of grain set upright in a field to dry. It is more technical and less commonly used in everyday conversation. The workers arranged the sheaves into shocks to dry before threshing them. A row of shocks stood in the field, a testament to the day's hard work.

Examples of usage

The farmer gathered the sheaves of wheat and stacked them in the barn
Each sheave contained a specific amount of grain
The workers loaded the sheaves onto the truck for transport

^{Context #2 | Verb}

agricultural

To gather and bind into a sheaf

Synonyms

bind, bundle, gather.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sheave	Primarily used in agricultural or historical contexts, 'sheave' refers to the action of binding harvested grain stalks into bundles or the bundle itself. The farmers sheaved the wheat in the field The sheaves of barley were stacked neatly in the barn
bind	Used in a general sense, 'bind' means to tie or secure something together. It can refer to both physical binding and metaphorical situations like agreements or constraints. He used a rope to bind the sticks together The contract will bind both parties to these terms
bundle	Commonly used to describe the act of making a collection of items into a neat package. It can be physical items or abstract concepts like deals or offers. She bundled the clothes and put them in the suitcase The software comes bundled with several useful tools
gather	Used to describe the act of bringing things or people together, 'gather' can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts. Let's gather some flowers for the bouquet She managed to gather her thoughts and speak clearly

Examples of usage

The workers sheaved the wheat in the field
Sheaving the crops is an important step in the harvesting process

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agriculture

'Sheaving' is a critical part of the harvesting process, where grains are gathered and bundled.
Farmers often sheave crops like wheat, barley, and rye to prepare them for threshing.
The practice of sheaving helps protect grains from rain and pests before storage.

Cultural Significance

In rural communities, sheaves are often used in harvest festivals celebrating the season's bounty.
Traditional harvest songs and dances often reference sheaving, symbolizing hard work and community spirit.
Sheaves have been depicted in art and literature as symbols of abundance and prosperity.

Literature

In poetry, sheaves are often used metaphorically to represent the fruits of labor and the cycles of life.
Famous poems like 'To Autumn' by John Keats reference the imagery of sheaves to evoke the flow of time and nature.
Sheaves can symbolize unity and togetherness in literary works, as they are gathered and bound as a community effort.

Technology

Modern agriculture has replaced manual sheaving with machines called combine harvesters that gather and bundle crops simultaneously.
Despite advances, many traditional sheaving methods are still taught in farming schools to preserve cultural heritage.
Unique machinery designed for sheaving can increase efficiency and lessen the amount of grain lost during harvest.

Origin of 'sheave'

Main points about word origin

The word 'sheave' comes from the Old English 'sceaf,' meaning 'a bundle of grain'.
Historically, it has been used since the 15th century to refer to tied bundles from the harvest.
It shares roots with words in other Germanic languages that also refer to bundles, like the Dutch 'schoven'.

The word 'sheave' originated from Old English 'sceaf', meaning a bundle of straw or grain. It has been used in agricultural contexts for centuries to refer to a bundle of harvested crops. The verb form 'to sheave' also has a long history in farming practices, describing the action of gathering and binding crops into sheaves for storage or transportation.