I. ˈkəf noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English coffe, cuffe, perhaps modification of Middle French coife, coiffe coif — more at coif
1.
a. : the part of a glove covering the wrist and sometimes the forearm
b. : epimanikion
c. : a covering (as of stiff paper) for the forearm to prevent soiling the sleeves
2.
a. : a band used to finish the end of a sleeve either by turning back a part of the sleeve or by attaching a separate piece
b. : the part of a sleeve at the wrist (as a coat sleeve that is finished by a hem)
c. : any of various separate bands worn at the wrist
d. : the turned-back hem of a trouser leg
3.
a. : a piece of leather or other material sewn outside on the top of a shoe upper usually for ornament : a wide collar
b. : the top band of a sock or stocking
4. : handcuff — usually used in plural
5. : something resembling or likened to a cuff for the wrist (as the ferrule on a tool handle)
6. : an inflatable band that is wrapped about an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with the sphygmomanometer
•
- off the cuff
- on the cuff
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to furnish with a cuff
2. : handcuff
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: perhaps from obsolete English cuff glove, from Middle English cuffe
transitive verb
: to strike with the palm of the hand or in a manner suggesting such a blow : buffet
cuff a boy over the ears
cuffed by the gale — Alfred Tennyson
intransitive verb
: fight , scuffle
Synonyms: see strike
IV. noun
( -s )
: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap
gave him a good cuff
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably modification of Romany kova thing, person — more at cove
: an old codger ; especially : an old miser
VI. noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps alteration of scuff (I)
Scotland : scruff III
VII. noun
: a usually wide metal band worn as a bracelet