51Թ

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View synonyms for

scarf

1

[skahrf]

noun

plural

scarfs, scarves 
  1. a long, broad strip of wool, silk, lace, or other material worn about the neck, shoulders, or head, for ornament or protection against cold, drafts, etc.

  2. a necktie or cravat with hanging ends.

  3. a long cover or ornamental cloth for a bureau, table, etc.



verb (used with object)

  1. to cover or wrap with or as if with a scarf.

  2. to use in the manner of a scarf.

scarf

2

[skahrf]

verb (used with or without object)

Slang.
  1. to eat, especially voraciously (often followed by down orup ).

    to scarf down junk food.

scarf

3
Also scarph

[skahrf]

noun

plural

scarfs 
  1. a tapered or otherwise-formed end on each of the pieces to be assembled with a scarf joint.

  2. Whaling.a strip of skin along the body of the whale.

verb (used with object)

  1. to assemble with a scarf joint.

  2. to form a scarf on (the end of a timber).

  3. Steelmaking.to burn away the surface defects of (newly rolled steel).

  4. Whaling.to make a groove in and remove (the blubber and skin).

scarf

1

/ ɑː /

noun

  1. Also called: scarf joint. scarfed joint.a lapped joint between two pieces of timber made by notching or grooving the ends and strapping, bolting, or gluing the two pieces together

  2. the end of a piece of timber shaped to form such a joint

  3. a wedge-shaped cut made in a tree before felling, to determine the direction of the fall

  4. whaling an incision made along a whale's body before stripping off the blubber

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to join (two pieces of timber) by means of a scarf

  2. to make a scarf on (a piece of timber)

  3. to cut a scarf in (a whale)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scarf

2

/ ɑː /

noun

  1. a rectangular, triangular, or long narrow piece of cloth worn around the head, neck, or shoulders for warmth or decoration

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to wrap with or as if with a scarf

  2. to use as or in the manner of a scarf

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • scarfless adjective
  • scarflike adjective
  • scarfer noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of scarf1

First recorded in 1545–55; of uncertain origin; perhaps special use of scarf 3

Origin of scarf2

An Americanism dating to 1955–60; variant of scoff 2, probably a respelling by r-less speakers

Origin of scarf3

First recorded in 1490–1500; probably from Old Norse skarfr (derivative of skera “to cut”) “beveled edge, end cut from a beam” (hence perhaps “a piece of cloth cut off, a scarf”; scarf 1 )
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of scarf1

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian skarv, Swedish skarf, Low German, Dutch scherf scarf 1

Origin of scarf2

C16: of uncertain origin; compare Old Norman French escarpe, Medieval Latin scrippum pilgrim's pack; see scrip ²
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"It takes two months, and 9,000 lotus stems to make one scarf," she says.

From

"The situation is very dire," says Najwa, "the insects come at her, I have to cover her with a scarf so nothing touches her".

From

The shop, on Derby Lane, has been transformed into a sea of red and white with flags, banners, scarves, posters, noise-makers and t-shirts.

From

CANNES, France — In Cannes, the weather changes so fast that you can enter a theater in sandals and exit in desperate need of rain boots and a scarf.

From

The intricately embroidered featherweight scarves are a favourite with his customers in Mussoorie, a hill town in the northern state of Uttarakhand, where he works.

From

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When To Use

Plural word forscarf

The plural form of scarf can be either scarfs or scarves, but scarves is more widely used. The plurals of some other singular words that end -f are also formed in this way, including leaf/leaves, elf/elves, and wife/wives. A similar change is made when pluralizing hoof as hooves. Irregular plurals that are formed like scarves derive directly from their original pluralization in Old English.

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