stave off

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 staff¹.]

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stave off

Verb

[staving, staved] to delay (something) for a short time: to stave off political rebellion

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

stave off - prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" deflect, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, avert, ward off, avoid, debar, obviate foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, forbid - keep from happening or arising; make impossible; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project"