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n. 1. A large iron hook attached to a pole or handle and used to land large fish. 2. Nautical A spar attached to a mast and used to extend the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail. 3. a. A sharp metal spur or spike fastened to the leg of a gamecock. b. A climbing hook used by telephone and electric line workers. 4. Slang A trick or gimmick, especially one used in a swindle or to rig a game. 5. A tight-fitting undergarment designed to secure the male genitals between the legs and create the appearance of a smooth crotch. 6. Slang Harshness of treatment; abuse. tr.v. gaffed, gaf·fing, gaffs 1. To hook or land (a fish) using a gaff. 2. To equip (a gamecock) with a gaff. 3. Slang a. To take in or defraud; swindle. b. To rig or fix in order to cheat: knew that the carnival games had been gaffed. [Middle English gaffe, from Old French, from Old Provençal gaf, from gafar, to seize, of Germanic origin; see kap- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots. Noun, senses 4 and 5, and verb, senses 3a and 3b, probably from the spurred, ink-filled rings used by card sharpers to secretly mark cards.]  (click for a larger image) gaff1 |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
