gaff

1
[ gaf ]
/ gæf /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR gaff ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an iron hook with a handle for landing large fish.
the spur on a climbing iron, especially as used by telephone linemen.
Nautical. a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail (gaff sail).
a metal spur for a gamecock.

verb (used with object)

to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff.

Origin of gaff

1
1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French gaffe, gaff < Provençal gaf hook, gaff, noun derivative of gafar to seize (compare Medieval Latin gaffare), probably < Germanic (Visigothic) *gaff-, perhaps derivative from base of Gothic giban give

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gaff

gaff gaffe

Words nearby gaff

gaelic, gaelic coffee, gaelic football, gaeltacht, gaeta, gaff, gaff rig, gaff sail, gaff topsail, gaff-rigged, gaff-topsail

Definition for gaff (2 of 3)

gaff 2
[ gaf ]
/ gæf /

noun

harsh treatment or criticism: All the gaff he took never made him bitter.

Origin of gaff

2
1895–1900, Americanism; compare earlier British use: nonsense, humbug, Scots dial.: loud laugh, guffaw; of uncertain origin; cf. guff

Definition for gaff (3 of 3)

gaff 3
[ gaf ]
/ gæf /

verb (used with object)

Slang. to cheat; fleece.

verb (used without object)

British Slang. to gamble, especially to indulge in petty gambling, as to toss coins.

Origin of gaff

3
First recorded in 1745–55; origin uncertain

Words related to gaff

offense, failing, miscue, negligence, violation, fault, indiscretion, omission, blunder, failure, transgression, error, breach, crime, oversight, sin, capture, incarceration, imprisonment, detention

Example sentences from the Web for gaff

British Dictionary definitions for gaff (1 of 3)

gaff 1
/ (ɡæf) /

noun

angling a stiff pole with a stout prong or hook attached for landing large fish
nautical a boom hoisted aft of a mast to support a gaffsail
a metal spur fixed to the leg of a gamecock

verb (tr)

angling to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff
slang to cheat; hoax

Word Origin for gaff

C13: from French gaffe, from Provençal gaf boathook

British Dictionary definitions for gaff (2 of 3)

gaff 2
/ (ɡæf) /

noun

slang foolish talk; nonsense
blow the gaff British slang to divulge a secret
stand the gaff slang, mainly US and Canadian to endure ridicule, difficulties, etc

Word Origin for gaff

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for gaff (3 of 3)

gaff 3
/ (ɡæf) /

noun British slang, archaic

a person's home, esp a flat
Also called: penny-gaff a cheap or low-class place of entertainment, esp a cheap theatre or music hall in Victorian England

Word Origin for gaff

C18: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases with gaff

gaff

see stand the gaff.