shive

¹

[ shahyv ]

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.

shive

²

[ shiv, shahyv ]

noun

1. a splinter or fragment of the husk of flax, hemp, etc.
2. boon ³.

shive

/ ʃaɪv /

noun

1. a flat cork or bung for wide-mouthed bottles
2. See slice
   an archaic word for slice

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shive¹

C13: from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German schīve; see sheave ¹

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg