cuff

¹ American  

[kuhf] / kʌf /

noun

1. a fold or band serving as a trimming or finish for the bottom of a sleeve.

2. a turned-up fold, as at the bottom of a trouser leg.

3. the part of a gauntlet or long glove that extends over the wrist.

4. a separate or detachable band or piece of fabric worn about the wrist, inside or outside of the sleeve.

5. an elasticized, ribbed, or reinforced band at the top of a sock or stocking.

6. a band of leather or other material, wider than a collar, sewed around the outside of the top of a shoe or boot to serve as a trimming or finish.

7. a handcuff.

   I accessorized my costume with cuffs, a badge, and a toy gun.

8. Anatomy. rotator cuff.

9. Furniture. a horizontal strip of veneer used as an ornament on a leg.

10. Medicine/Medical. an inflatable wrap placed around the upper arm and used in conjunction with a device for recording blood pressure.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a cuff or cuffs on.

   to cuff a pair of trousers.

2. to put handcuffs on.

   The officer was quick to cuff the suspect and read him his rights.

3. Slang. to start an exclusive relationship with.

   You’ve gotta cuff her if you want to keep her.

idioms

1. on the cuff,

   1. with the promise of future payment; on credit.

   2. without charge; with no payment expected.

      He enjoyed his meal the more because it was on the cuff.

2. off the cuff,

   1. extemporaneously; on the spur of the moment.

      She made those comments off the cuff, and they came back to haunt her later.

   2. unofficially or informally.

      I'm telling you this strictly off the cuff.

cuff ² American  

[kuhf] / kʌf /

verb (used with object)

1. to strike with the open hand; beat; buffet.

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noun

1. a blow with the fist or the open hand; buffet.

cuff ¹ British  

/ kʌf /

noun

1. the part of a sleeve nearest the hand, sometimes turned back and decorative

2. the part of a gauntlet or glove that extends past the wrist

3. Also called (in eg Britain): turn-up.  the turned-up fold at the bottom of some trouser legs

4. informal improvised; extemporary

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cuff ² British  

/ kʌf /

verb

1. (tr) to strike with an open hand

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noun

1. a blow of this kind

cuff More Idioms  

1. see off the cuff; on the cuff.

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Usage

What else does cuff mean? Cuff can refer to the ends of sleeves or rolled pants, handcuffs, or, in the world of modern love, the act of going steady with someone over the winter months.

Etymology

Origin of cuff¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cuffe “mitten”; perhaps akin to Old English cuffie “cap,” from Medieval Latin cuphia; coif ²

Origin of cuff²

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; perhaps from a Scandinavian language; compare Norwegian, Swedish dialect kuffa “to push, shove”; also German cant kuffen “to thrash”

Example Sentences

To many, the sight of Paul being clapped into cuffs may have even burnished her renegade image.

From Salon

As Robby, McKay and others examine her and run a few tests, they determine she likely has rotator cuff tear, and that she’ll need X-rays to know if she has a fracture.

From Los Angeles Times

The cuffs and waistbands that form a snug seal around a baby’s legs and waist are called the gasketing.

From The Wall Street Journal

A second later the door slammed open and in burst four of his friends—tall, deep-voiced young men in coats with twice-turned collars and threadbare cuffs.

From Literature

Dad wore his coat and his Sunday shirt with the detachable cuffs.

From Literature

Related Words

• belt
• sock