sheet

sheet
\ \ Sheetcloth’ [OE] and sheetrope attached to a sail’ [OE] are distinct words, although they have a common ancestor. This was the Germanic base *skaut-, *skut- ‘project’, which also produced English scot-free, scuttlesink a ship’, shoot, shot, shout, shut, and skit. This produced two Old English nouns, scētecloth’ and scēatasail-rope’, which have formally coalesced in modern English as sheet, but retained their distinctive meanings. (Sheetcloth’ was not used specifically for ‘bed sheet’ until the 13th century.)
\ \ Cf.SCOT-FREE, SCUTTLE, SHOOT, SHOT, SHOUT, SHUT, SKIT

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Sheet — Sheet, n. [OE. shete, schete, AS. sc[=e]te, sc[=y]te, fr. sce[ a]t a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment); originally,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sheet — W2S2 [ʃi:t] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(for a bed)¦ 2¦(paper)¦ 3¦(thin flat piece)¦ 4¦(large flat area)¦ 5¦(of rain/fire)¦ 6¦(on a ship)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ [: Old English; Origin: scyte] 1.) ¦(FO …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Sheet — Sheet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sheeted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sheeting}.] 1. To furnish with a sheet or sheets; to wrap in, or cover with, a sheet, or as with a sheet. The sheeted dead. When snow the pasture sheets. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To expand, as …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sheet — sheet1 [shēt] n. [ME schete < OE sceat, piece of cloth, lappet, region, akin to Ger schoss, lap, ON skaut, lappet: for prob. IE base see SHOOT] 1. a large, rectangular piece of cotton, linen, etc., used on a bed, usually in pairs, one under… …   English World dictionary

  • sheet — [ ʃit ] noun count *** ▸ 1 cloth on bed ▸ 2 piece of something flat ▸ 3 wide area ▸ 4 looking like moving wall ▸ 5 rope on boat with sail ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) a large piece of thin cloth that you put on your bed and use for lying on or covering your… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Sheet — may refer to:* Sheet, a villiage in Hampshire * Bed sheet, a piece of cloth used to cover a mattress * Sheet (sailing), a rope, cable or chain used to control a sail * The playing surface in the sport of curling * A piece of paper * A level or… …   Wikipedia

  • sheet — ‘cloth’ [OE] and sheet ‘rope attached to a sail’ [OE] are distinct words, although they have a common ancestor. This was the Germanic base *skaut , *skut ‘project’, which also produced English scot free, scuttle ‘sink a ship’, shoot, shot, shout …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • sheet — Ⅰ. sheet [1] ► NOUN 1) a large rectangular piece of cotton or other fabric, used on a bed to cover the mattress or as a layer beneath blankets. 2) a broad flat piece of metal or glass. 3) a rectangular piece of paper. 4) an extensive layer or… …   English terms dictionary

  • sheet — shēt n 1) a broad piece of cloth esp an oblong of usu. cotton or linen cloth used as an article of bedding 2) a portion of something that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth <a sheet of connective tissue> * * * (shēt) 1. a… …   Medical dictionary

  • sheet — A complete, unseparated group of postage stamps as printed on a press. The sheet is usually perforated and cut into four or more panes for eventual sale …   Glossary of postal terms

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