Stave n.
 1. One of a number of narrow strips of wood, or narrow iron plates, placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel or structure; esp., one of the strips which form the sides of a cask, a pail, etc.
 2. One of the cylindrical bars of a lantern wheel; one of the bars or rounds of a rack, a ladder, etc.
 3. A metrical portion; a stanza; a staff.
 Let us chant a passing stave
 In honor of that hero brave.   --Wordsworth.
 4. Mus. The five horizontal and parallel lines on and between which musical notes are written or printed; the staff7. [Obs.]
 Stave jointer, a machine for dressing the edges of staves.