greaves

[ greevz ]

/ grivz /

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

crackling(def 3).

Nearby words

greatheartedly, greatly, greatness, greats, greave, greaves, grebe, grecian, grecian bend, grecian profile, grecism

Origin of greaves

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

Definition for greaves (2 of 2)

greave

[ greev ]

/ griv /

noun Armor.

a piece of plate armor for the leg between the knee and the ankle, usually composed of front and back pieces.

Origin of greave

1300–50; Middle English greves (plural) < Old French < ?

Also called jamb, jambeau.

Related formsgreaved, adjective

Can be confusedgreave grieve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for greaves

Greaves the man is equally—and intentionally—hard to get a read on.
Satan Is Coming to Oklahoma|Michelle Cottle|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As an alternative religious player, says Greaves, the Satanic Temple provides yet another “counterbalance.”
Satan Is Coming to Oklahoma|Michelle Cottle|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Greaves and a handful of friends founded it in January as a vehicle for a cheeky, in-your-face brand of political theater.
Satan Is Coming to Oklahoma|Michelle Cottle|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
These days, Greaves regards traditional religion in general as both dangerously superstitious and exclusionary.
Satan Is Coming to Oklahoma|Michelle Cottle|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Roused by the sound, Achilles sprang to his feet, and buckled on his corslet, and clasped the greaves to his ankles.
Stories from the Iliad|H. L. Havell
"Then it is all settled that Marian will marry Mr. Greaves," said Mr. Mason.
A Little Girl in Old Washington|Amanda M. Douglas
"How is your regiment situated on this point," remarked Greaves, leisurely breaking an egg and commencing to chip the shell.
Ridgeway|Scian Dubh
But the bowmen of the present time go into battle wearing corselets and fitted out with greaves which extend up to the knee.
History of the Wars, Books I and II (of 8)|Procopius
We may find "Mycenaean" corslets and greaves, but they are not in cremation burials.
Homer and His Age|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for greaves (1 of 3)

greaves

/ (ɡriːvz) /

pl n

the residue left after the rendering of tallow

Word Origin for greaves

C17: from Low German greven; related to Old High German griubo

British Dictionary definitions for greaves (2 of 3)

Greaves

/ (ɡriːvz) /

noun

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)

British Dictionary definitions for greaves (3 of 3)

greave

/ (ɡriːv) /

noun

(often plural) a piece of armour worn to protect the shin from the ankle to the knee

Derived Formsgreaved, adjective

Word Origin for greave

C14: from Old French greve, perhaps from graver to part the hair, of Germanic origin

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

Word Origin and History for greaves (1 of 2)

greaves

mid-14c., plural of greave.

Word Origin and History for greaves (1 of 2)

greave

leg armor, c.1300, from Old French greve "shin, armor for the leg" (12c.), of unknown origin. [Klein suggests it ultimately is from Egyptian Arabic gaurab "stocking, apparel for the leg."]