sleeve
English meaning: Sleeve
Definition
The part of a garment that covers the arm.
Example
“She rolled up her sleeves and started washing the dishes.”
Another example: “He had a trick or two up his sleeve.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral; the part of a garment covering the arm ('long sleeves', 'roll up your sleeves'). Also a protective cover ('record sleeve') and many idioms ('up one's sleeve', 'laugh up one's sleeve'). Common in fashion and idiom.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'sliefe' / 'slef', related to 'slip', because the arm slips into it.
Related Words
- gastrectomy
- gatefold
- insignia
- cuffs
- sleeves
- cuff
- braid
- booklet
- sticker
- shirt
Common Collocations
- long sleeves
- short sleeve
- roll up your sleeves
- up your sleeve
- record sleeve
Word Forms
sleeve (n); sleeves (pl); sleeveless (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B