scarf
1
[ skahrf ]
/ skɑrf /
noun, plural scarfs, scarves [skahrvz] /skɑrvz/.
a long, broad strip of wool, silk, lace, or other material worn about the neck, shoulders, or head, for ornament or protection against cold, drafts, etc.; muffler.
a necktie or cravat with hanging ends.
a long cover or ornamental cloth for a bureau, table, etc.
verb (used with object)
to cover or wrap with or as if with a scarf.
to use in the manner of a scarf.
Origin of scarf
1
First recorded in 1545–55; perhaps special use of
scarf2
OTHER WORDS FROM scarf
scarf·less, adjective scarf·like, adjectiveWords nearby scarf
scarecrow,
scaredy-cat,
scarehead,
scaremonger,
scareware,
scarf,
scarf cloud,
scarf joint,
scarfe,
scarfpin,
scarfskin
Definition for scarf (2 of 3)
scarf
2
[ skahrf ]
/ skɑrf /
noun, plural scarfs.
a tapered or otherwise-formed end on each of the pieces to be assembled with a scarf joint.
Whaling.
a strip of skin along the body of the whale.
verb (used with object)
to assemble with a scarf joint.
to form a scarf on (the end of a timber).
Steelmaking.
to burn away the surface defects of (newly rolled steel).
Whaling.
to make a groove in and remove (the blubber and skin).
Also
scarph
(for defs 1, 3, 4).
Origin of scarf
2
1490–1500; < Old Norse
skarfr (derivative of
skera to cut) end cut from a beam (hence perhaps a piece of cloth cut off, i.e.,
scarf1); compare Swedish
skarv patch
OTHER WORDS FROM scarf
scarf·er, nounDefinition for scarf (3 of 3)
scarf
3
[ skahrf ]
/ skɑrf /
verb (used with or without object) Slang.
to eat, especially voraciously (often followed by down or up): to scarf down junk food.
Origin of scarf
3
1955–60,
Americanism; variant of
scoff2, with
r inserted probably through r-dialect speakers' mistaking the underlying vowel as an r-less
ar
Example sentences from the Web for scarf
British Dictionary definitions for scarf (1 of 2)
scarf
1
/ (skɑːf) /
noun plural scarves (skɑːvz) or scarfs
a rectangular, triangular, or long narrow piece of cloth worn around the head, neck, or shoulders for warmth or decoration
verb (tr) rare
to wrap with or as if with a scarf
to use as or in the manner of a scarf
Word Origin for scarf
C16: of uncertain origin; compare Old Norman French
escarpe, Medieval Latin
scrippum pilgrim's pack; see
scrip ²
British Dictionary definitions for scarf (2 of 2)
scarf
2
/ (skɑːf) /
noun plural scarfs
Also called: scarf joint, scarfed joint
a lapped joint between two pieces of timber made by notching or grooving the ends and strapping, bolting, or gluing the two pieces together
the end of a piece of timber shaped to form such a joint
NZ
a wedge-shaped cut made in a tree before felling, to determine the direction of the fall
whaling
an incision made along a whale's body before stripping off the blubber
verb (tr)
Word Origin for scarf
C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian
skarv, Swedish
skarf, Low German, Dutch
scherf
scarf
1