shiv

Shiv is a term that may refer to several distinct concepts depending on context. It can denote an improvised blade, a weapon commonly referred to in English as a shiv; it can also be a given name or nickname in South Asia; and it is a common transliteration variant of the Hindu deity Shiva in religious and cultural contexts.

Shiv as a weapon: In criminal slang, a shiv is an improvised knife created from available metal or other sharp material. It is typically small and concealable and intended for stabbing. The term is associated with prisons and criminal activity. Laws generally prohibit the manufacture, possession, or use of such weapons, and their use can carry severe penalties.

Shiv as a name and religious term: Shiv is widely used as a given name or nickname in India and among Indian diaspora communities. It is often derived from or connected to the deity Shiva, one of Hinduism's principal gods who embodies destruction and regeneration and forms part of the Trimurti with Brahma and Vishnu. In Hindu tradition, Shiva is worshipped in many forms, and is associated with attributes such as asceticism, meditation, and cosmic dancing.