1. n. (pl. scarves or scarfs) a square, triangular, or esp. long narrow strip of material worn round the neck, over the shoulders, or tied round the head (of a woman), for warmth or ornament.
Phrases and idioms:
scarf-pin (or -ring) Brit. an ornamental device for fastening a scarf. scarf-skin the outermost layer of the skin constantly scaling off, esp. that at the base of the nails. scarf-wise worn diagonally across the body from shoulder to hip.
Derivatives:
scarfed adj.
Etymology: prob. alt. of scarp (infl. by SCARF(2)) f. ONF escarpe OF escherpe sash 2. v. & n.
--v.tr. join the ends of (pieces of esp. timber, metal, or leather) by bevelling or notching them to fit and then bolting, brazing, or sewing them together; cut the blubber of (a whale).
--n.
1. a joint made by scarfing.
2 a cut on a whale made by scarfing.
Etymology: ME (earlier as noun) prob. f. OF escarf (unrecorded) perh. f. ON