stave
/steɪv/noun
Definitions
One of a number of narrow strips of wood, or narrow iron plates, placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel or structure; especially, one of the strips which form the sides of a cask, a pail, etc.
One of the bars or rounds of a rack, rungs of a ladder, etc; one of the cylindrical bars of a lantern wheel
A metrical portion; a stanza; a staff.
The five horizontal and parallel lines on and between which musical notes are written or pointed; the staff.
verb
Definitions
To fit or furnish with staves or rundles.
(usually with 'in') To break in the staves of; to break a hole in; to burst.
Example: to stave in a cask
(with 'off') To push, or keep off, as with a staff.
(usually with 'off') To delay by force or craft; to drive away.
Example: We ate grass in an attempt to stave off our hunger.