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raffle

 - 5 dictionary results

raf⋅fle

1[raf-uhl] noun, verb, -fled, -fling.
–noun
1. a form of lottery in which a number of persons buy one or more chances to win a prize.
–verb (used with object)
2. to dispose of by a raffle (often fol. by off): to raffle off a watch.
–verb (used without object)
3. to take part in a raffle.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME rafle dice game < MF, deriv. of rafler to snatch; cf. raff


raffler, noun

raf⋅fle

2[raf-uhl]
–noun
1. rubbish.
2. Nautical. a tangle, as of ropes, canvas, etc.

Origin:
1790–1800; raff + -le
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To raffle
raf·fle 1   (rāf'əl)   
n.  A lottery in which a number of persons buy chances to win a prize.
v.   raf·fled, raf·fling, raf·fles

v.   tr.
To dispose of in a raffle. Often used with off.
v.   intr.
To conduct or take part in a raffle.

[Middle English rafle, a game using dice, from Old French, act of seizing, dice game, perhaps of Germanic origin.]
raf'fler n.
raf·fle 2   (rāf'əl)   
n.  Rubbish; debris.

[Probably from French rafle, act of seizing, from Old French; see raffle1.]
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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Word Origin & History

raffle 
c.1386, from O.Fr. rafle "dice game," also "plundering," perhaps from a Gmc. source (cf. M.Du. raffel "dice game," O.Fris. hreppa "to move," O.N. hreppa "to reach, get," Ger. raffen "to snatch away, sweep off"), from P.Gmc. *khrap- "to pluck out, snatch off." The notion would be "to sweep up (the stakes), to snatch (the winnings)." Dietz connects the O.Fr. word with the Gmc. root, but OED is against this. Meaning "sale of chances" first recorded 1766.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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