noun/verbpl: staves (noun) / N/A (verb)
aduelas; ripas; varas; impede; afasta
1. Plural of stave: wooden strips or slats that form the sides of a barrel, cask, or bucket
The cooper carefully arranged the staves to construct a new wine barrel.
O tanoeiro cuidadosamente arrumou as aduelas para construir um novo barril de vinho.
2. Plural of stave: vertical posts, rods, or wooden stakes used for support or fencing
The old fence was made of weathered staves held together by wire.
A cerca antiga era feita de ripas envelhecidas presas com arame.
3. Third person singular present tense of the verb 'stave': to break something into pieces
The collision staves in the wooden door.
A colisão despedaça a porta de madeira.
4. Third person singular present tense of the verb 'stave': to ward off or postpone (usually with 'off')
This payment staves off our financial problems for another month.
Este pagamento afasta nossos problemas financeiros por mais um mês.
5. Plural of stave: lines of a musical staff or verse of a poem/song
The song has five staves of poetry.
A música tem cinco estrofes de poesia.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'staves' is primarily used in traditional craftsmanship (barrel-making, cooperage) and literary/musical contexts. The phrase 'stave off' is commonly used in both cultures to mean postponing or preventing something undesirable. The term relates to colonial wine and spirits trade history in Brazil, as barrel-making was an important craft in colonial settlements.
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