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

Behind us, our visitors had to stand stock-still with their doffed derby hats over their hearts.

From Literature

The singer also doffed the top of his orange jumpsuit to reveal some sort of medical port or device inserted on the upper left side of his chest.

From Los Angeles Times

After doffing their shoes, presumably to protect the plush, vibrantly red carpet that covers the theater’s floor, audience members take seats arranged in concentric circles.

From The Wall Street Journal

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