\Sleave\, n. [Cf. Dan. sl["o]if, 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.

\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.