daff

1
[ daf ]

verb (used without object)Scot. and North England.
  1. to make sport; dally; play.

Origin of daff

1
1525–35; v. use of daff (obsolete) a fool, Middle English daffe (noun); see daft

Words Nearby daff

Other definitions for daff (2 of 2)

daff2
[ daf ]

verb (used with object)
  1. Archaic. to turn or thrust aside.

  2. Obsolete. to doff.

Origin of daff

2
First recorded in 1590–1600; alteration of doff

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use daff in a sentence

  • No that the King is sair to live with either, so that he can eat and drink and daff, and be let alone to take his ease.

    Two Penniless Princesses | Charlotte M. Yonge
  • Mr. daff, however, offered the best apology for his absence that could be made.

British Dictionary definitions for daff (1 of 2)

daff1

/ (dæf) /


noun
  1. informal short for daffodil

British Dictionary definitions for daff (2 of 2)

daff2

/ (dɑːf) /


verb
  1. (intr) mainly Scot to frolic; play the fool

Origin of daff

2
C16: from obsolete daff fool, of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012