verb (used without object),shaved,shaved or (especially in combination) shav·en,shav·ing.
to remove a growth of beard with a razor.
verb (used with object),shaved,shaved or (especially in combination) shav·en,shav·ing.
to remove hair from (the face, legs, etc.) by cutting it off close to the skin with a razor.
to cut off (hair, especially the beard) close to the skin with a razor (often followed by off or away).
to cut or scrape away the surface of with a sharp-edged tool: to shave hides in preparing leather.
to reduce to shavings or thin slices: to shave wood.
to cut or trim closely: to shave a lawn.
to scrape, graze, or come very near to: The car just shaved the garage door.
Commerce. to purchase (a note) at a rate of discount greater than is legal or customary.
to reduce or deduct from: The store shaved the price of winter suits in the spring.
noun
the act, process, or an instance of shaving or being shaved.
a thin slice; a shaving.
any of various tools for shaving, scraping, removing thin slices, etc.
Origin of shave
before 900; (v.) Middle English schaven, schafen,Old English sc(e)afan; cognate with Dutch schaven to plane (a plank), abrade (the skin), Low German schaven,German schaben,Old Norse skafa to scrape, Gothic skaban to shear, shave; (noun) Middle English schave tool for shaving, Old English sc(e)afa, derivative of the v.