doff

American  

[dof, dawf] / dɒf, dɔf /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove or take off, as clothing.

2. to remove or tip (the hat), as in greeting.

3. to throw off; get rid of.

   Doff your stupid ideas and join our side!

4. Textiles.

   1. to strip (carded fiber) from a carding machine.

   2. to remove (full bobbins, material, etc.) from a textile machine.

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noun

1. Textiles.

   1. the act of removing bobbins, material, etc., and stripping fibers from a textile machine.

   2. the material so doffed.

doff British  

/ dɒf /

verb

1. to take off or lift (one's hat) in salutation

2. to remove (clothing)

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Other Word Forms

• doffer noun

Etymology

Origin of doff

1300–50; Middle English, contraction of do off; don ¹

Example Sentences

A lone shepherd respectfully doffs his hat as he finds himself in the presence of an angel trailing a long message: “I bring you tidings of great joy . . . ”

From The Wall Street Journal

He didn’t have to make the gesture; but it’s a measure of his decency that he doffed his hat to her.

From The Wall Street Journal

This is Canada, so the photograph you probably will see this week is one of father and son, simultaneously doffing their caps in the outfield at Olympic Stadium, when Guerrero played for the Montreal Expos.

From Los Angeles Times

When forced by Pozzo to dance, Mr. Thornton merely doffs his bowler hat rhythmically a few times in a funny nod to Bob Fosse.

From The Wall Street Journal

The sellout crowd, which had long been on its feet, continuing cheering, eventually drawing Kershaw back out onto the field to doff his cap in appreciation.

From Los Angeles Times