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scruff - What does it mean?

Definition of 'scruff'

English

Etymology 1

Noun

(en-noun)
  • Someone with an untidy appearance
    • That candidate will never get the job: he's a right scruff .
  • stubble, facial hair (on males)
  • (obsolete) crust
  • (obsolete) scurf
    • Derived terms
    * scruffy

    Etymology 2

    1790, from earlier (1787) (m), influenced by

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • The loose skin at the back of the neck of some animals.
  • (rare) The back of the neck, nape; also scruff of the neck .
    • He grabbed his unruly kid by the scruff of the neck , and took him home.
    Usage notes
    Strictly refers to the loose skin at the back of the neck – found on many mammals, though not humans – rather than the back of the neck itself. While this distinction is not always observed, scruff is used almost exclusively in the phrase “to grab [someone/something] by the scruff [of the neck]”.
    Synonyms
    * (l) * (l), (l) (medical) * (l) (of a horse)

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To lift or carry by the scruff .

    • See also

    * (l)

    References

    Similar to 'scruff'

    serif, swarf, scarf, scurf, sheriff, shroff, schroff, sharif, shereef, skurf, saraf, shruff, scherif