scruff
1[ skruhf ]
/ skrʌf /
noun
the nape or back of the neck.
Words nearby scruff
scrubby, scrubdown, scrubland, scrubs, scrubwoman, scruff, scruffy, scrum, scrum half, scrummage, scrummie
Origin of scruff
11780–90; variant of dial. scuff, scuft < Dutch schoft horse's withers
Definition for scruff (2 of 2)
scruff2
[ skruhf ]
/ skrʌf /
noun Metallurgy.
(in tin-plating) dross formed in the bath.
Origin of scruff
2metathetic variant of scurf
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for scruff
British Dictionary definitions for scruff (1 of 2)
scruff1
/ (skrʌf) /
noun
the nape of the neck (esp in the phrase by the scruff of the neck)
Word Origin for scruff
C18: variant of scuft, perhaps from Old Norse skoft hair; related to Old High German scuft
British Dictionary definitions for scruff (2 of 2)
scruff2
/ (skrʌf) /
noun
informal an untidy scruffy person
informal a disreputable person, ruffian
another name for scum (def. 3)
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