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gaff¹ Definition

gaff (gaf)

noun

  1. a large, strong hook on a pole, or a barbed spear, used in landing large fish
    1. a sharp metal spur fastened to the leg of a gamecock
    2. any of the steel points on a lineman's climbing iron
    1. a spar or pole extending from the after side of a mast and supporting a fore-and-aft sail
    2. U.S. Navy a similarly located spar on the mainmast, from which the ensign is flown when a ship is underway
  2. Slang any secret device for cheating
  3. Etymology: earlier in sense of “a fair”: ? because visitors were gaffed there

    Brit., Slang a cheap theater, dance hall, etc.

Etymology: ME gaffe < OFr < OProv gaf or Sp gafa < Goth gafah, a catch < ga-, intens. + fahan, to catch, akin to fang

transitive verb

  1. to strike or land (a fish) with a gaff
  2. Chiefly Brit., Slang to cheat; hoax; trick
  3. Naut., Slang to rig with a gaff

gaff¹ Idioms

stand the gaff

Slang to bear up well under difficulties, punishment, ridicule, etc.; be game

gaff² Definition

gaff (gaf)

noun

Brit., Slang foolish talk; nonsense

Etymology: prob. altered < earlier gab, mockery < ME, deceit: see gab

gaff² Idioms

blow the gaff

to reveal a secret

gaff Usage Examples

Object

  • card: From learning how to make Acrobatic cards to all the famous gaffed cards you will have it ALL!
  • deck: Comes complete with gaffed card deck and detailed instructions on how to perform this trick.

Converse of object

  • blow: Not seen yet by anyone except our tame madman Garth, we blow the gaff!
  • make: The next page deals with what tools are needed to make the gaff.
  • peak: But from the point of view of the fittings, as you peak the gaff up two things happen.

Adjective modifier

  • new: Last week he invited me round his new gaff for a long awaited reprise.
  • special: But a special gaff allows the performer to always take the gaffed match!
  • usual: Everyone to the usual gaff on Tuesday, 15th August.
  • traditional: We operate three traditional, gaff rigged sailing vessels, including Golden Vanity, a 53 ' Gaff Cutter.
  • simple: Syd Segal has taken simple gaffs, yet squeezes every ounce of magical juice out of them for your spectator's amazement.
  • late: It suggests that he might be in even hotter water than his latest gaff has dropped him into.

Modifies a noun

  • cutter: On a gaff cutter or sloop, there is a need to balance the large area of the main by a corresponding area forward.
  • rig: The class rules are drawn up with the express intention of developing gaff rig.
  • jaw: Removal of the gaff jaws showed more of the split.
  • saddle: Even at that too short a throat purchase can give you all sorts of funny leads on the gaff saddle.
  • sail: Her long bowsprit and low ketch rig with gaff sails show that at times she could carry a large area of canvas.
  • yard: The wedges were easily made from the offcut of Sitka Spruce left over from making the gaff yard itself.

Adjective complement

  • prone: No, too inexperienced and too gaff prone, he has a history of making unfortunate racially motivated remarks to newspapers.

Noun used with modifier

  • penny: A look at the nightlife of the East End from a German dancehall to a " penny gaff " in Whitechapel.
  • foot: Voyages last between 2 and 7 days aboard our 76 foot gaff rigged ketch, Greater Manchester Challenge.

Browse dictionary entries near gaff

  1. Gaelic
  2. Gael
  3. Gaea
  4. gae
  5. Gadzooks
  6. gadwall
  7. Gadsden
  8. gadroon
  9. gadolinium
  10. gadolinite
  1. gaff-topsail
  2. gaffe
  3. gaffer
  4. gag
  5. gag order
  6. gaga
  7. Gagarin
  8. gage
  9. gagger
  10. gaggle