Staving

stave  (stv)

n.

1. A narrow strip of wood forming part of the sides of a barrel, tub, or similar structure.

2. A rung of a ladder or chair.

3. A staff or cudgel.

4. Music See staff¹.

5. A set of verses; a stanza.

v. staved or stove (stv), stav·ing, staves

v.tr.

1. To break in or puncture the staves of.

2. To break or smash a hole in.

3. To crush or smash inward.

4. To furnish with staves.

v.intr.

To be or become crushed in.

Phrasal Verb:

stave off

To keep or hold off; repel: "For 12 years, we've sought to stave off this ultimate threat of disaster" (New York Times).

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[Back-formation from staves, pl. of staff.]