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Definition of "staves" [staves]

  • A plural of staff1. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "staves" in a sentence
  • "Some had bows, some "staves" -- that is, bills, pole-axes, or pikes."
  • "64 During one landdag, for example, the governor explained that the transfer of staves is to be strictly controlled "not because we place any importance on their value per se but so that the ... symbol of their [the elders '] authority, given by us to mark their honor, be not violated.""
  • "58 Retiring elders laid down their staves and new appointees received staves from the governor with "great pleasure," swearing obedience to him with "a handshake before God.""