Sleave (?), n. [Cf. Dan. sloif, a knot loop, Sw. slejf, G. schleife a knot, silding knot, and E. slip, v.i.] (a)
The knotted or entangled part of silk or thread.
(b)
Silk not yet twisted; floss; -- called also sleave silk.
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Sleave, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleaved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sleaving.]
To separate, as threads; to divide, as a collection of threads; to sley; -- a weaver's term.
© Webster 1913.