cuff

1
[ kuhf ]
/ kʌf /

noun

verb (used with object)

to make a cuff or cuffs on: to cuff a pair of trousers.
to put handcuffs on.

Idioms for cuff

    off the cuff, Informal.
    1. extemporaneously; on the spur of the moment.
    2. unofficially or informally: I'm telling you this strictly off the cuff.
    on the cuff, Slang.
    1. with the promise of future payment; on credit.
    2. without charge; with no payment expected: He enjoyed his meal the more because it was on the cuff.

Origin of cuff

1
1350–1400; Middle English cuffe mitten; perhaps akin to Old English cuffie cap < Medieval Latin cuphia coif1

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH cuff

cough cuff koph

Definition for cuffs (2 of 2)

cuff 2
[ kuhf ]
/ kʌf /

verb (used with object)

to strike with the open hand; beat; buffet.

noun

a blow with the fist or the open hand; buffet.

Origin of cuff

2
1520–30; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Low German kuffen, Norwegian, Swedish dialect kuffa to push, shove

Example sentences from the Web for cuffs

British Dictionary definitions for cuffs (1 of 3)

cuffs
/ (kʌfs) /

pl n

informal short for handcuffs See handcuff (def. 2)

British Dictionary definitions for cuffs (2 of 3)

cuff 1
/ (kʌf) /

noun

the part of a sleeve nearest the hand, sometimes turned back and decorative
the part of a gauntlet or glove that extends past the wrist
US, Canadian and Australian the turned-up fold at the bottom of some trouser legs Also called (in eg Britain): turn-up
off the cuff informal improvised; extemporary
See also cuffs

Word Origin for cuff

C14 cuffe glove, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for cuffs (3 of 3)

cuff 2
/ (kʌf) /

verb

(tr) to strike with an open hand

noun

a blow of this kind

Word Origin for cuff

C16: of obscure origin

Medical definitions for cuffs

cuff
[ kŭf ]

n.

A bandlike structure encircling a part.
An inflatable band, usually wrapped around the upper arm, that is used along with a sphygmomanometer in measuring arterial blood pressure.

Idioms and Phrases with cuffs

cuff

see off the cuff; on the cuff.