—v.tr. (past part. shaved or (as adj.) shaven)
1 remove (bristles or hair) from the face etc. with a razor.
2 (also absol.) remove bristles or hair with a razor from the face etc. of (a person) or (a part of the body).
3 a reduce by a small amount. b take (a small amount) away from.
4 cut thin slices from the surface of (wood etc.) to shape it.
5 pass close to without touching; miss narrowly.
—n.
1 an act of shaving or the process of being shaved.
2 a close approach without contact.
3 a narrow miss or escape; = close shave (see CLOSE(1)).
4 a tool for shaving wood etc.
Etymology: OE sc(e)afan (sense
4 of noun f. OE sceafa) f. Gmc
Useful english dictionary. 2012.