Shave

shāv, v.t. to cut off the hair with a razor: to pare closely: to make smooth by paring: to cut in thin slices: to skim along the surface: to strip, swindle.— v.i. to remove hair by a razor:— pa.p. shāved or shā′ven. — n. the act of shaving: a paring: a narrow mi or escape: a piece of financial knavery.— ns. Shave′-gra , the scouring-rush; Shave′ling , a monk or friar, from his shaven crown; Shā′ver , one who shaves: a barber: a sharp or extortionate dealer: ( coll. ) a chap, youngster; Shā′ving , the act of shaving: that which is shaved or pared off; Shā′ving-bā′sin , -bowl , -brush , a basin, bowl, brush, used by persons shaving.— Close , or Near , shave , a very narrow escape. [A.S. sceafan , scafan ; Dut. schaven , Ger. schaben , L. scabĕre , to scrape, Gr. skaptein , to dig.]