sleave noun. [sli:v] L16.
[from the verb.]
1. A slender filament of silk obtained by separating a thicker thread; silk in the form of such filaments, floss-silk. obsolete exc. (fig.) in echoes of Shakes. L16.
■ Shakespeare Macbeth Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care.

2. A tangle; a tangled string. dial. L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

sleave verb trans. [sli:v] Now dial. L16.
[Rel. to Old English causative verb (evidenced in tōslǣfan) from stem rel. to SLIVE verb¹.]
1. Divide (silk) by separation into filaments. L16.

2. Cleave, split, tear apart. dial. E19.

Comb.:
sleave-silk silk thread that can be separated into smaller filaments for use in embroidery etc.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲