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

It was a very nice suit: French, light gray, worsted wool with double cuffs.

From Literature

Felix, in court wearing a white shirt and trousers, his hands cuffed, looked visibly pleased as the judge delivered the decision.

From Barron's

Brushes, pens and pencils lie next to the ripped cuffs of cotton workshirts, and drops of blue and white paint are splattered on the floor, extending the artwork beyond the wall.

From Los Angeles Times

It cuffed them all into silence, and they watched the griffin pounce upon the butterfly and miss.

From Literature

Carmen asks as she tugs down the cuffs of her leggings.

From Literature

Related Words

• belt
• sock