Stave  —n. 1 each of the curved slats forming the sides of a cask, pail, etc. 2 = *staff n. 3. 3 stanza or verse. —v. (-ving; past and past part. Stove or staved) (usu. Foll. By in) break a hole in, damage, crush by forcing inwards.  stave off avert or defer (danger etc.). [from *staff]