staves

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of staff. Use this form when you mean more than one staff, such as long sticks.

   The pilgrims leaned on their wooden staves as they climbed the hill.

   The shepherds carried long staves to guide their sheep.

   Note
2. 2
   noun

   Plural of stave. Use this form for more than one stave, such as the wooden strips of a barrel.

   The cooper fitted the curved staves together to form the barrel.

   A few staves had cracked, so the barrel leaked water.

   Note
3. 3
   verb

   Third-person singular present of stave. Use this form with he, she, or it.

   He staves off hunger with a small snack before dinner.

   The thick coat staves off the cold during long winter walks.

   Note

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