[ noun ] a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing <noun.artifact>
Sheaf \Sheaf\, n. (Mech.) A sheave. [R.]
Sheaf \Sheaf\, n.; pl. {Sheaves}. [OE. sheef, shef, schef, AS. sce['a]f; akin to D. schoof, OHG. scoub, G. schaub, Icel. skauf a fox's brush, and E. shove. See {Shove}.] 1. A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw.
The reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands. --Dryden.
2. Any collection of things bound together; a bundle; specifically, a bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, or the allowance of each archer, -- usually twenty-four.
The sheaf of arrows shook and rattled in the case. --Dryden.
Sheaf \Sheaf\, v. t. To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves; as, to sheaf wheat.
Sheaf \Sheaf\, v. i. To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves.
They that reap must sheaf and bind. --Shak.
But then he sat down and chatted for 20 minutes about China's open-door policy and investment prospects. We received much the same treatment from the intent-looking Russian woman who rushed in waving a sheaf of forms.
The committee added a sheaf of new provisions on Thursday, including short extensions of some expiring tax credits and the tax increases to pay for them.
For the buffet table she chose a sheaf of a tall grass that looked like wheat and blue delphinium and love-in-the-mist, as well as three big artichokes on a stem.
Finally, the leaders papered over their differences, hurriedly signing a sheaf of documents in the last 30 minutes of the meeting and then smiling and joking with one another at the news conference.
Mr. Fletcher slows the truck to a crawl, reaches for a wide-bottomed mug on the dashboard and consults a sheaf of maps for a route to one of the "potential pilferage areas" he is supposed to keep an eye on.
Quayle was struck with a sheaf of papers by a man who had called out to the vice president to get his attention on Capitol Hill.
Speaking with the passion of a television preacher, Wes Gordeuk got down on his knees and carefully unrolled a sheaf of documents containing the long-lost secrets of an early American inventor.
After a cut, it showed the editor answering questions while Gorbachev straightened a sheaf of papers.