n.
Pronunciation: ' t ə ft
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, modification of Middle French touffe, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zopf tip ― more at TOP
Date: 14th century
1 a : a small cluster of elongated flexible outgrowths attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite ends especially : a growing bunch of grasses or close-set plants b : a bunch of soft fluffy threads cut off short and used as ornament
2 : CLUMP , CLUSTER
3 : MOUND
4 : any of the projections of yarns drawn through a fabric or making up a fabric so as to produce a surface of raised loops or cut pile
– tuft · ed \ ' t ə f-t ə d \ adjective
– tufty \ ' t ə f-t ē \ adjective