sheet

n. [ OE. shete, schete, AS. scēte, sc&ymacr_;te, fr. sceát a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment); originally, that which shoots out, from the root of AS. sceótan to shoot. √159. See Shoot, v. t. ] In general, a large, broad piece of anything thin, as paper, cloth, etc.; a broad, thin portion of any substance; an expanded superficies. Specifically: (a) A broad piece of cloth, usually linen or cotton, used for wrapping the body or for a covering; especially, one used as an article of bedding next to the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

He fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners. Acts x. 10, 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me
In one of those same sheets. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded, whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a letter; a newspaper, etc. (c) A single signature of a book or a pamphlet; in pl., the book itself. [ 1913 Webster ]

To this the following sheets are intended for a full and distinct answer. Waterland. [ 1913 Webster ]

(d) A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like; a plate; a leaf. (e) A broad expanse of water, or the like. “The two beautiful sheets of water.” Macaulay. (f) A sail. Dryden. (g) (Geol.) An extensive bed of an eruptive rock intruded between, or overlying, other strata. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ AS. sceáta. See the Etymology above. ] (Naut.) (a) A rope or chain which regulates the angle of adjustment of a sail in relation in relation to the wind; -- usually attached to the lower corner of a sail, or to a yard or a boom. (b) pl. The space in the forward or the after part of a boat where there are no rowers; as, fore sheets; stern sheets. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sheet is often used adjectively, or in combination, to denote that the substance to the name of which it is prefixed is in the form of sheets, or thin plates or leaves; as, sheet brass, or sheet-brass; sheet glass, or sheet-glass; sheet gold, or sheet-gold; sheet iron, or sheet-iron, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sheet in the wind, half drunk. [ Sailors' Slang ] --
Both sheets in the wind, very drunk. [ Sailors' Slang ] --
In sheets, lying flat or expanded; not folded, or folded but not bound; -- said especially of printed sheets. --
Sheet bend (Naut.), a bend or hitch used for temporarily fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an eye. --
Sheet lightning,
Sheet piling, etc. See under Lightning, Piling, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]