Definition of "staving" [stav•ing]

• Present participle of stave. (verb)
• A casing or lining of staves, especially one encircling a water wheel. (noun)

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• "Although the financial supports for banks and auto makers were effective in staving off a much deeper economic crisis and have largely been repaid to the Federal government, they caused resentment among many because large corporations were given greater assistance than that which was given to families facing personal income or mortgage problems."
• "I thought I was doing well in staving off the inevitable post-Book Fair cold, but evidently I only delayed it a bit and last night I woke around 4am up with full-on sore throat, achiness, etc. Just in time for my birthday today."
• "Our tail and ball gunner, Jan Brown and Tracy Kelly, respectively, were doing an excellent job in staving off attacks from that quarter."