Pronunciations
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/dæf/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
Noun
A fool; an idiot; a blockhead.
Verb
To be foolish; make sport; play; toy.
Usage- Scotland
- Intransitive
- Examples
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We'll hauld our court mid the roaring lins, And daff in the lashan' tide
More examples (2)
They admired and loved each other—enjoyed easy circumstances—had duties to discharge which they did not neglect; and, clear in conscience as light of heart, laughed, sung, danced, daffed the world aside, and bid it pass.
Left thus for long spaces in the company of Betty and the child, that daffed and croddled about her, and even became warmly friendly with me for the sake of my Paris watch and my glittering waistcoat buttons, I made many gallant attempts to get on my old easy footing.
As the afternoon progressed, we become 'daffed' out.
To daunt.
Usage- UK usage
- dialectal
- Obsolete
- Examples
-
Young Tam came up and eyed me quick With reddened cheek—Braw Tam was daffed like a chick—He could na speak—Ah Marie they are all gane hame
More examples (1)
I made out—to put it clearly—that the Sultan had been far gone in his cups when Kiamil appeared before him; that he had called the Basha such 'daffing' names as 'renegade dog,' 'toothless old hound,' 'hound without scent, that could not smell out an intrigue under his nose;' which agreeable epithets doubtless were flung about because Lorimer, and not he, had got wind of the conspiracy of the notables.
"Perhaps, most Elysian of fair ladies, it would be, as one might say, more seemly if I, as a justice of the peace—" Brilliana daffed him down.
Verb
To toss (aside); to dismiss.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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DON PEDRO. I would she had bestowed this dotage on me; I would have daffed all other respects and made her half myself.
Such is the record of Scripture. Nor can you daff it aside by saying that local and temporary conditions condemned women to silence and private life.
To turn (someone) aside; divert.
Usage- Transitive
Noun
A preparation of gypsum once used to adulterate food products.
Usage- Obsolete
- Uncountable