Etymology : Middle English sleve, from Old English slIefe; perhaps akin to Old English slEfan to slip on, slupan to slip, Old High German sliofan, Latin lubricus slippery
Pronunciation : 'slEv
Function : noun
Date : before 12th century
1. part of a shirt which covers the arm; protective cover or case (as for a book or record); cylinder, tubular piece (Machinery); flexible tunnel that takes passengers directly from the terminal to the airplane and vice-versa. sleeve\sleeve\ , n. see:
sleave, untwisted thread.sleeve \sleeve\, n. [oe. sleeve, sleve, as. sl fe, sl fe; akin to sl fan to put on, to clothe; cf. od. sloove the turning up of anything, sloven to turn up one's sleeves, sleve a sleeve, g. schlaube a husk, pod.].
2. the part of a garment which covers the arm; as, the sleeve of a coat or a gown.
3. a narrow channel of water. [r.] the celtic sea, called oftentimes the sleeve.
4. (mach.) (a) a tubular part made to cover, sustain, or steady another part, or to form a connection between two parts. (b) a long bushing or thimble, as in the nave of a wheel. (c) a short piece of pipe used for covering a joint, or forming a joint between the ends of two other pipes.sleeve button, a detachable button to fasten the wristband or cuff.sleeve links, two bars or buttons linked together, and used to fasten a cuff or wristband.
5. See Sleave, untwisted thread.
6. The part of a garment which covers the arm; as, the sleeve of a coat or a gown.
7. A narrow channel of water.
8. A tubular part made to cover, sustain, or steady another part, or to form a connection between two parts.
9. A long bushing or thimble, as in the nave of a wheel.
10. A short piece of pipe used for covering a joint, or forming a joint between the ends of two other pipes.
11. To furnish with sleeves; to put sleeves into; as, to sleeve a coat.
12. A double tube of copper, in section like the figure 8, into which the ends of bare wires are pushed so that when the tube is twisted an electrical connection is made.
13. The joint thus made is called a McIntire joint. the part of a garment that is attached at armhole and provides a cloth covering for the arm small case into which an object fits.
14. 1. The sleeves of a coat, shirt, or other item of clothing are the parts that cover your arms. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows He wore a black band on the left sleeve of his jacket.
15. A record sleeve is the stiff envelope in which a record is kept. There are to be no pictures of him on the sleeve of the new record.
16. If you have something up your sleeve, you have an idea or plan which you have not told anyone about. You can also say that someone has an ace, card, or trick up their sleeve. He wondered what Shearson had up his sleeve.