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gaff - What does it mean?

Definition of 'gaff'

English

(wikipedia)

Etymology 1

(etyl), from (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .

Alternative forms

* gaffe

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.
  • A minor error or faux pas.
  • We politely ignored his gaff .
  • A trick or con.
  • The sideshow feat was a just a gaff , but the audience was too proud to admit they'd been fooled.
  • (British|Irish|slang) A place of residence.
  • We're going round to Mike's gaff later to watch the footie.
  • (nautical) The upper spar used to control a gaff-rigged sail.
  • A garment worn to hide the genitals by some trans people.
  • Synonyms
    * hakapik

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To use a gaff, especially to land a fish.
  • To cheat or hoax
  • Derived terms

    * gaffer

    Etymology 2

    Perhaps from (etyl)

    Noun

  • rough or harsh treatment; criticism
  • {{quote-book
    |year=1916 |year_published=2008 |edition=HTML |editor= |author=Edgar Rice Burrows |title=Beyond Thirty (aka The Lost Continent) |chapter= citation |genre= |publisher=The Gutenberg Project |isbn= |page= |passage="Numbers one, two, and five engines have broken down, sir," he called. "Shall we force the remaining three?" / "We can do nothing else," I bellowed into the transmitter. / "They won't stand the gaff', sir," he returned. / "Can you suggest a better plan?" I asked. / "No, sir," he replied. / "Then give them the ' gaff , lieutenant," I shouted back, and hung up the receiver. }}

    References

    * Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia, gaff * New Oxford American Dictionary, gaff[2]

    Anagrams

    *

    Similar to 'gaff'

    goof, gif, guff, goff, goaf