Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bundle of cut stalks of grain (like wheat, barley, or rice) tied together after harvesting. This is the most traditional and common meaning.
   • A collection of items of the same kind, such as papers or arrows, gathered and often fastened together. This extends the core idea of a bundle to other objects.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer gathered the wheat into a sheaf and leaned it against the others to dry.
  • He carried a sheaf of important documents under his arm.
  • The archer held a sheaf of arrows in his quiver.

Advanced Usage

• "In sheaf": Describes the state of being bundled.
  • The corn was bound in sheaf and ready for collection.
• Mathematical/Technical Use: In mathematics, a sheaf is a tool for tracking locally defined data attached to the open sets of a topological space. (This is a highly specialized, advanced usage).
  • The concept of a sheaf is fundamental in algebraic geometry.

Variants and Related Words

• Sheaves (n): The standard plural form of "sheaf."
  • The field was dotted with golden sheaves of barley.
• Sheafy (adj, rare): Resembling or consisting of sheaves.
• Sheaf binder (n): A person or machine that ties grain into sheaves.

Synonyms

• Bundle: A collection of things tied or wrapped together.
• Bunch: A number of things, typically of the same kind, growing or fastened together.
• Faggot (UK): A bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• To make a sheaf: To gather and bind into a bundle.
  • After cutting the rye, they worked together to make a sheaf from each row.
• Like a sheaf of wheat: Used to describe something that is neatly bundled or tied together.
  • The papers were stacked and tied like a sheaf of wheat.

Noun

1. a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing