I. ˈhaft, ˈhȧft noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hæft; akin to Old English hæft bond, fetter, captive, Old High German haft fetter, captivity, hefti handle, Old Norse hapt fetter, hepti handle, Gothic -hafts burdened, -hafjan to carry — more at heave
: the handle of a weapon (as a sword or dagger) or tool (as a sickle, awl, file)
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English haften, from haft, n.
: to set in or furnish with a haft
haft a dagger
III. ˈ(h)aft transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse heftha to gain (land) by right of occupation, hefth possession, act of gaining by occupation, Old Norse hafa to have — more at have
1. dialect Britain : to accustom (sheep) to a different pasture
2. dialect Britain : to settle or establish especially in a place of residence
we are now nicely hafted here
IV. noun
( -s )
1. dialect Britain : an established pasture
2. dialect Britain : a dwelling place