Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SLEEVE, n. [Sax. slef, slyf; W. llawes; said to be from llaw, the hand.]

1. The part of a garment that is fitted to cover the arm; the sleeve of a coat or gown.
2. The raveled sleeve of care, in Shakspeare. [See Sleave.] To laugh in the sleeve, to laugh privately or unperceived; that is perhaps, originally, by hiding the face under the sleeve or arm. – Arbuthnot. To hang on the sleeve, to be or make dependent on others. – Ainsworth.