stave off

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stave off vb

(transitive, adverb) to avert or hold off (something undesirable or harmful), esp temporarily: to stave off hunger

stave /steɪv/USA pronunciation n., v., staved or stove/stoʊv/USA pronunciation stav•ing.
n. [countable]

one of the thin, narrow, shaped pieces of wood that form the sides of a cask, tub, etc.
a stick, rod, or pole.

stave off:
- to put off or keep off, as by force: [~ + off + object]to stave off an attack.[~ + object + off]to stave it off.
- to prevent in time;
  forestall: [~ + off + object]to stave off bankruptcy.[~ + object + off]to stave it off.

stave (stāv),USA pronunciation
n.

one of the thin, narrow, shaped pieces of wood that form the sides of a cask, tub, or similar vessel.
a stick, rod, pole, or the like.
Buildinga rung of a ladder, chair, etc.
Poetry[Pros.]
- a verse or stanza of a poem or song.
- the alliterating sound in a line of verse, as the w- sound in wind in the willows.
Music and Dancestaff¹ (def. 9).

v.t.

Wineto break in a stave or staves of (a cask or barrel) so as to release the wine, liquor, or other contents.
Wineto release (wine, liquor, etc.) by breaking the cask or barrel.
to break or crush (something) inward (often fol. by in).
to break (a hole) in, esp. in the hull of a boat.
to break to pieces;
splinter;
smash.
Buildingto furnish with a stave or staves.
to beat with a stave or staff.

v.i.

to become staved in, as a boat;
break in or up.
to move along rapidly.
stave off:
- to put, ward, or keep off, as by force or evasion.
- to prevent in time;
  forestall:He wasn't able to stave off bankruptcy.

1125–75; (noun, nominal) Middle English, back formation from staves; (verb, verbal) derivative of the noun, nominal

verse.

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