/ kʌf; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] the end of a coat or shirt sleeve at the wrist :
a collar and cuffs of white lace
—picture at jacket
2.
cuffs [ pl. ] ( informal ) = handcuffs
3.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) = turn-up
4.
[ C ] a light hit with an open hand :
to give sb a friendly cuff
•
IDIOMS
- off the cuff
■ verb
[ vn ] to hit sb quickly and lightly with your hand, especially in a way that is not serious :
She cuffed him lightly around his head.
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 3 late Middle English (denoting a glove or mitten): of unknown origin.
noun sense 4 and verb mid 16th cent.: of unknown origin.