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greaves

American  
[greevz] / grivz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)
  1. crackling.


Greaves 1 British  
/ ɡriːvz /

noun

  1. Jimmy. born 1940, English footballer and television commentator on the sport; played for a number of clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea; scored 44 goals in 57 matches for England (1959–67)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

greaves 2 British  
/ ɡriːvz /

plural noun

  1. the residue left after the rendering of tallow

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of greaves

1605–15; < Low German greven; cognate with Old High German griubo, German Grieben

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A very fine drawing on blue paper, lent from the Met, shows the care he lavished on the plate armor: soft ripples of the chain mail, a shimmer of light on the greaves.

From New York Times

He trotted up and down the ranks, his plumed helmet gleaming, his legs decked in bronze greaves.

From Literature

They were armored with bronze helmets and greaves and breastplates of heavy leather and shields of wood and bronze, and armed with swords and the long Kargish lance.

From Literature

Among the materials being used to make what are known as greaves is wood, while the skills involved include weaving.

From BBC

He drops into the chair and begins cleaning his greaves.

From Literature