Sheaf

n.; pl. SHĒAVĒS. [A.-S. sceāf, from sceāfan, sceōfan, to shove; D. schoof, L. Ger. skof, schof, O. H. Ger. scoup, N. H. Ger. schaub.]

1Sense 1. A quantity of the stalks of wheat, rye, oats, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of stalks or straw.

The reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands. Dryden.

2Sense 2. Any bundle or collection; specifically, a bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, the number being usually twenty-four. Fairholt.

The sheaf of arrows shook and rattled in the case. Dryden.

3Sense 3. (Mech.) A sheave. See SHEAVE.

To collect and bind; to make sheaves. They that reap must sheaf and bind. Shaks.