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muff definition

muff (muf)

noun

  1. a cylindrical covering of fur or other soft material into which the hands are placed from either end for keeping them warm
  2. a tuft of feathers on the sides of the head, or on the legs, of certain fowl
    1. Sports a failure to hold the ball when catching it
    2. any bungling action

Etymology: Du mof < Wal moufe, shortened < Fr moufle, a mitten < ML muffla, glove

transitive verb, intransitive verb

  1. to do (something) badly or awkwardly
  2. Sports to miss (a catch) or bungle (a play)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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