Library / English Dictionary

CUFF

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg

Synonyms:

cuff; turnup

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("cuff" is a kind of...):

lap; overlap (a flap that lies over another part)

Meronyms (parts of "cuff"):

facing (a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cuff"):

trouser cuff (a cuff on the bottoms of trouser legs)

Holonyms ("cuff" is a part of...):

leg (a cloth covering consisting of the part of a pair of trousers that covers a person's leg)

arm; sleeve (the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs

Synonyms:

cuff; handcuff; handlock; manacle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("cuff" is a kind of...):

bond; hamper; shackle; trammel (a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner))

Derivation:

cuff (confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs

Example:

The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime

Synonyms:

cuff; handcuff; manacle

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "cuff" is one way to...):

fetter; shackle (restrain with fetters)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to cuff the prisoners

Derivation:

cuff (shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Hit with the hand

Synonyms:

cuff; whomp

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "cuff" is one way to...):

slap (hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to cuff his opponent

Credits

 Context examples: 

Peggotty was dressed as usual, in her neat and quiet mourning; but Mr. Barkis bloomed in a new blue coat, of which the tailor had given him such good measure, that the cuffs would have rendered gloves unnecessary in the coldest weather, while the collar was so high that it pushed his hair up on end on the top of his head.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This one swung himself off the box-seat with the alacrity of a man who has no doubts about the upshot of the quarrel, and after hanging his caped coat upon the swingle-bar, he daintily turned up the ruffled cuffs of his white cambric shirt.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But as he fed he noticed figures printed in the cuffs.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

But most potent in his education was the cuff of the master's hand, the censure of the master's voice.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Jo sighed, and proceeded to burst the buttons off her glove, in doing up her cuff, but at last both were ready, and sailed away, looking as 'pretty as picters', Hannah said, as she hung out of the upper window to watch them.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Mr. Barkis rubbed his cheek with his cuff, and then looked at his cuff as if he expected to find some of the bloom upon it; but made no other acknowledgement of the compliment.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Quite naturally he found himself at a mangle, feeding starched cuffs.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Then it was that no cuff nor sharp word was necessary before they could pat him.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

"You have been running, Jo. How could you? When will you stop such romping ways?" said Meg reprovingly, as she settled her cuffs and smoothed her hair, with which the wind had taken liberties.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)