GAFF

gaff

(noun) an iron hook with a handle; used for landing large fish

gaff

(noun) a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail

gaff

(noun) a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

gaff (countable and uncountable, plural gaffs)

A tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.

Synonym: hakapik

A minor error or faux pas, a gaffe.

A trick or con.

(nautical) The upper spar used to control a gaff-rigged sail.

A garment worn to hide the genitals.

(informal, uncountable) Clipping of gaffer tape.

Verb

gaff (third-person singular simple present gaffs, present participle gaffing, simple past and past participle gaffed)

To use a gaff, especially to land a fish.

To cheat or hoax.

(slang) To gamble.

(informal) To affix or cover with gaffer tape.

Etymology 2

Noun

gaff

Rough or harsh treatment; criticism.

(dated) An outcry; nonsense.

Etymology 3

Noun

gaff (plural gaffs)

(British, especially, Manchester and Cockney, Irish, slang) A place of residence.

Anagrams

• aff'g

Proper noun

Gaff (plural Gaffs)

A surname.

Statistics

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Gaff is the 25226th most common surname in the United States, belonging to 982 individuals. Gaff is most common among White (95.62%) individuals.

Anagrams

• aff'g

Source: Wiktionary


Gaff, n. Etym: [OE. gaffe, F. gaffe an iron hook with which seamen pull great fishes into their ships; cf. Ir. gaf, gafa hook; perh. akin to G. gabel fork, Skr. gabhasti. CF. Gaffle, Gable.]

1. A barbed spear or a hook with a handle, used by fishermen in securing heavy fish.

2. (Naut.)

Definition: The spar upon which the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail is extended.

3. Same as Gaffle, 1. Wright.

Gaff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gaffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Gaffing.]

Definition: To strike with a gaff or barbed spear; to secure by means of a gaff; as, to gaff a salmon.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

28 March 2024

HUDDLED

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