sleeve

American  

[sleev] / sliv /

noun

1. the part of a garment that covers the arm, varying in form and length but commonly tubular.

2. a protective container, usually thin and flexible with an opening on one side for insertion or removal of an item, as a paper storage envelope for a phonograph record, or a padded case for a tablet or other electronic device: a 24-sleeve CD wallet.

   a form-fitting laptop sleeve;

   a 24-sleeve CD wallet.

3. a pliable tubular or rectangular container for crackers, cookies, and the like that is typically opened at one end to remove individual servings: The largest box has four sleeves of saltines inside.

   I ate a whole sleeve of shortbreads before I realized how many calories that is!

   The largest box has four sleeves of saltines inside.

4. Machinery. a tubular piece, as of metal, fitting over a rod or the like.

5. a pattern of tattoos that covers the arm from shoulder to wrist in one integrated piece of tattoo art.

   I got my first tattoo when I turned 18, and by 28 I had full sleeves on both arms.

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verb (used with object)

sleeved, sleeving

1. to furnish with sleeves.

2. Machinery. to fit with a sleeve; join or fasten by means of a sleeve.

idioms

1. have something up one's sleeve, to have a secret plan, scheme, opinion, or the like.

   I could tell by her sly look that she had something up her sleeve.

2. laugh up / in one's sleeve, to be secretly amused or contemptuous; laugh inwardly.

   to laugh up one's sleeve at someone's affectations.

sleeve British  

/ sliːv /

noun

1. the part of a garment covering the arm

2. a tubular piece that is forced or shrunk into a cylindrical bore to reduce the diameter of the bore or to line it with a different material; liner

3. a tube fitted externally over two cylindrical parts in order to join them; bush

4. US name: jacket.  a flat cardboard or plastic container to protect a gramophone record

5. to prepare oneself for work, a fight, etc

6. secretly ready

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verb

1. (tr) to provide with a sleeve or sleeves

sleeve More Idioms  

1. see card up one's sleeve; laugh up one's sleeve; roll up one's sleeves; wear one's heart on one's sleeve.

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Other Word Forms

• sleeveless adjective
• sleevelike adjective
• unsleeved adjective

Etymology

Origin of sleeve

First recorded before 950; Middle English sleve, slieve, Old English slēfe (Anglian), slīefe; akin to Dutch sloof “apron”

Example Sentences

The news that Paul Thomas Anderson was rolling up his sleeves to make an action thriller was startling but intriguing, and kind of funny.

From The Wall Street Journal

George pulled back Owen’s torn pant leg and sleeve, and then it was George’s turn to gasp.

From Literature

Steps taken to try and prevent fraud including matching a practical test candidate's face with their photo ID, as well as asking theory candidates to roll up their sleeves and show their pockets are empty.

From BBC

But I am really happy with the result and I think Frank might have a lot more up his sleeve than we think.”

From BBC

The friend who shows up with a Frosty and a sleeve of fries because you were already at the drive-through.

From Salon