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sheet

n. · v.
US //ˈʃit// UK //ʃˈiːt// sheet
  1. 1 bedding (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a large piece of thin cloth used on a bed.

    a rectangular piece of cloth used as bedding, either to cover a mattress or as a top layer for the sleeper.

    Example

    He changed the sheets on his bed every Saturday morning.

    Example

    The hotel staff ensures that the cotton sheets are laundered and pressed daily to maintain a high standard of guest comfort.
  2. 2 paper (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a single piece of paper.

    a distinct, usually rectangular piece of paper intended for writing, printing, or drawing.

    Example

    Please take out a clean sheet of paper and write your name at the top.

    Example

    The artist preferred a heavy, textured sheet of paper that could withstand multiple layers of watercolour without warping.
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  1. 3 thin layer of material (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a thin, flat piece of a solid material like metal or plastic.

    a broad, thin, and flat piece of solid material, often used in manufacturing or construction.

    Example

    The workers covered the roof with large sheets of corrugated metal.

    Example

    Engineers specified a reinforced sheet of industrial plastic to provide a moisture barrier beneath the concrete foundation.
  2. 4 broad expanse (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a wide, flat area of something like ice, water, or flame.

    an extensive, continuous surface or expanse of a substance.

    Example

    The car slid across a dangerous sheet of ice on the road.

    Example

    A vast sheet of mist rolled off the Atlantic, obscuring the jagged cliffs from the lighthouse keeper's view.
  3. 5 nautical rope (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Nautical

    a rope used to control the position of a sail on a boat.

    a line or rope used to adjust the trim of a sail by controlling the angle at which it meets the wind.

    Example

    He pulled the sheet tight to catch the wind and speed up the boat.

    Example

    The skipper ordered the crew to ease the main sheet as the vessel rounded the buoy and began its downwind leg.
  4. 6 to rain heavily (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to rain very hard in a way that looks like a solid wall of water.

    to fall or flow in a heavy, continuous stream or layer; typically used of rain.

    Example

    The rain began to sheet down, making it impossible to see the road.

    Example

    As the storm reached its peak, the rain sheeted against the windows with such violence that the glass rattled in its frames.

    Usage

    Usually used in the progressive form 'sheeting' or with 'down'.
Etymology 1

From Middle English schete; partly from Old English sċīete (“a sheet, a piece of linen cloth”); partly from Old English sċēata (“a corner, angle; the lower corner of a sail, sheet”); and Old English sċēat (“a corner, angle”); all from Proto-Germanic skautijǭ, skautaz (“corner, wedge, lap”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewd- (“to throw, shoot, pursue, rush”). Cognate with North Frisian skut (“the fold of a garment, lap, coattail”), West Frisian skoat (“sheet; sail; lap”), Dutch schoot (“the fold of a garment, lap, sheet”), German Low German Schote (“a line from the foot of a sail”), German Schoß (“the fold of a garment, lap”), Danish skød (“lap, skirt”), Icelandic skaut (“the corner of a cloth, a line from the foot of a sail, the skirt or sleeve of a garment, a hood”), Norwegian skaut (“headdress”), Swedish sköt (“sheet”).

Etymology 2

A minced oath of shit.

Word family
Idioms8 entries

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