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scuff

(skŭf)

v. scuffed, scuff·ing, scuffs

v.intr.

To scrape the feet while walking; shuffle.

v.tr.

1. To scrape with the feet.

2. To shuffle or shift (the feet), as in embarrassment.

3. To scrape and roughen the surface of.

1. The act or sound of scraping especially with the feet.

2. A worn or rough spot resulting from scraping.

3. A flat backless house slipper.

[Probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skūfa, to push.]

scuffer n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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