shive

¹ American  

[shahyv] / ʃaɪv /

noun

1. a sliver or fragment; splinter.

2. a thin plug, as of wood or cork, for stopping the bunghole of a cask or the mouth of a bottle.

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shive ² American  

[shiv, shahyv] / ʃɪv, ʃaɪv /

noun

1. a splinter or fragment of the husk of flax, hemp, etc.

2. boon.

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shive British  

/ ʃaɪv /

noun

1. a flat cork or bung for wide-mouthed bottles

2. an archaic word for slice

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Etymology

Origin of shive¹

1175–1225; Middle English; cognate with German Scheibe, Old Norse skīfa; akin to sheave ²

Origin of shive²

1475–85; earlier scyfe; cognate with dialectal Dutch schif, Middle Dutch scheve, German Schebe; akin to shiver ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shive

“You just seat yourselves there under the trees,” she ordered them, “and I’ll bring right out a shive off a loaf of bread, and a tot o’ tea for each of you.”

From John and Betty's History Visit by Margaret Williamson

Pray you, give me leave to help you to another shive of the beef.

From For the Master's Sake A Story of the Days of Queen Mary by Horace Petherick

Come now, another shive of mutton? well, then, a piece o’ th’ pasty—do!

From For the Master's Sake A Story of the Days of Queen Mary by Horace Petherick

“Pray you, sit down with us, Mr Ferris,” said she; “we shall not lack a shive for you.”

From Robin Tremayne A Story of the Marian Persecution by Emily Sarah Holt

Only look you—” “A shive of beef, Sister?” interpolated Rachel, who had no notion of allowing the theoretical to take precedence of the practical.

From Clare Avery A Story of the Spanish Armada by Emily Sarah Holt