Sleave (slēv), n. [Cf. Dan. slöif, a knot loop, Sw. slejf, G. schleife a knot, sliding 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.