Sleave \Sleave\, n. [Cf. Dan. sl["o]if, a knot loop, Sw. slejf, G. schleife a knot, silding 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.