stave
UK: steɪv | US: steɪv
n. 1. A narrow strip of wood forming part of the sides of a barrel or similar structure.
n. 2. A set of five horizontal lines used in musical notation.
vt. 1. To break or crush something, especially a barrel, by forcing its staves apart.
vt. 2. To avert or delay something undesirable (often used with "off").
The word "stave" originates from the Old English "stæf" (meaning "staff" or "pole"), which evolved into Middle English as "stave." The connection to barrel construction comes from the use of wooden staves (strips) to form the sides. The musical sense derives from the resemblance of staff lines to parallel wooden strips. The verb form ("to stave off") metaphorically extends the idea of using a staff to push away or delay something.
The barrel burst when one of its staves cracked.
The composer wrote the melody on a four-line stave.
They managed to stave off bankruptcy with a last-minute loan.
The blacksmith used a hammer to stave in the damaged metal.
Medieval manuscripts often featured musical staves for liturgical chants.