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gaff

 - 8 dictionary results
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gaff

1  [gaf]
Use gaff in a Sentence
–noun
1. an iron hook with a handle for landing large fish.
2. the spur on a climbing iron, esp. as used by telephone linemen.
3. Nautical. a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail (gaff sail).
4. a metal spur for a gamecock.
–verb (used with object)
5. to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME < MF gaffe, gaff < Pr gaf hook, gaff, n. deriv. of gafar to seize (cf. ML gaffare), prob. < Gmc (Visigothic) *gaff-, perh. deriv. from base of Goth giban give
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gaff

2  [gaf]
–noun
1. harsh treatment or criticism: All the gaff he took never made him bitter.
—Idiom
2. stand or take the gaff, Slang. to weather hardship or strain; endure patiently.
Origin:
1895–1900, Americanism; cf. earlier British use: nonsense, humbug, Scots dial.: loud laugh, guffaw; of uncert. orig.; cf. guff

gaff

3  [gaf]
–verb (used with object)
1. Slang. to cheat; fleece.
–verb (used without object)
2. British Slang. to gamble, esp. to indulge in petty gambling, as to toss coins.
Origin:
1745–55; orig. uncert.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gaff
gaff 1   (gāf)   
n.  

  1. A large iron hook attached to a pole or handle and used to land large fish.

  2. Nautical A spar attached to the mast and used to extend the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

    1. A sharp metal spur or spike fastened to the leg of a gamecock.

    2. A climbing hook used by telephone and electric line workers.

  4. Slang A trick or gimmick, especially one used in a swindle or to rig a game.

  5. Slang Harshness of treatment; abuse.

tr.v.   gaffed, gaf·fing, gaffs

  1. To hook or land (a fish) using a gaff.

  2. To equip (a gamecock) with a gaff.

  3. Slang

    1. To take in or defraud; swindle.

    2. To rig or fix in order to cheat: knew that the carnival games had been gaffed.


[Middle English gaffe, from Old French, from Old Provençal gaf, from gafar, to seize, of Germanic origin; see kap- in Indo-European roots.]
gaff 2   (gāf)   
n.   Chiefly British

  1. A public place of entertainment, especially a cheap or disreputable music hall or theater.

  2. Slang A house, building, or apartment, especially where one resides.


[Origin unknown.]
gaff 3   (gāf)   
n.  Variant of gaffe.
gaffe also gaff   (gāf)   
n.  

  1. A clumsy social error; a faux pas: "The excursion had in his eyes been a monstrous gaffe, a breach of sensibility and good taste" (Mary McCarthy).

  2. A blatant mistake or misjudgment.


[French, from Old French, hook; see gaff1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

gaff

see stand the gaff.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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