ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sheaf

n.
US //ˈʃif// UK //ʃˈiːf// sheaf
Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English scheef, from Old English sċēaf, from Proto-West Germanic skaub, from Proto-Germanic skauba- (“sheaf”). Cognates Akin to West Frisian skeaf (“sheaf”), Dutch schoof (“sheaf”), German Schaub, Old Norse skauf (“a fox's tail”). Compare further Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌿𐍆𐍄 (skuft, “hair of the head”), German Schopf (“tuft”).

© 2026 English Reference