tiff
[tif]
- a slight or petty quarrel.
- a slight fit of annoyance, bad mood, or the like.
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- to have a petty quarrel.
- to be in a tiff.
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Origin of tiff
First recorded in 1720–30; origin uncertain
Synonyms
See more synonyms for tiff on Thesaurus.com1. spat, scrap, misunderstanding, difference.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tiff
Contemporary Examples
In honor of his latest film, ‘The Green Inferno,’ which made its premiere at TIFF, the director reveals his favorite movie kills.
Eli Roth, Director of ‘The Green Inferno,’ On His Favorite Bloody Movie KillsEli Roth
September 14, 2013
On battling with Lionsgate at TIFF '13 for Can a Song Save Your Life?
Harvey Weinstein Discusses His Career Highs and Lows with Tina Brown at TIFFMarlow Stern
September 11, 2013
He sits down with Marlow Stern at TIFF to discuss the gender-bending role, his own struggle with drugs, and ‘My So-Called Life.’
Jared Leto on His Brilliant Performance as a Transsexual in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’Marlow Stern
September 10, 2013
She spoke with Marlow Stern at TIFF about the role, and politics.
Susan Sarandon On ‘The Last of Robin Hood,’ NYC Mayor's Race, Being Hacked, MoreMarlow Stern
September 8, 2013
He sat down with The Daily Beast at TIFF to discuss his myriad projects.
Tom Hiddleston On His Rocker-Vampire in ‘Only Lovers Left Alive,’ ‘Thor 2,’ and ‘Avengers 2’Marlow Stern
September 7, 2013
Historical Examples
"Him would like to walk, him's legs is so 'tiff," said Baby.
The Adventures of Herr BabyMrs. Molesworth
Your aunt and I had a tiff the last time we met, and that was some months ago.
Lord KilgobbinCharles Lever
Then a tiff ensues, but it is mostly made up of menacing screeches.
Birds of the Indian HillsDouglas Dewar
We had a tiff, and he went off to Monte, all on his little lone.
In Brief AuthorityF. Anstey
You remind me more and more every day, Tiff, of that dear delightful old Baden-Baden.
ChanticleerCornelius Mathews
tiff1
- a petty quarrel
- a fit of ill humour
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- (intr) to have or be in a tiff
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Word Origin
C18: of unknown origin
tiff2
- archaic a small draught of alcoholic drink; dram
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Word Origin
C18: see tiffin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for tiff
n.
1727, "outburst of temper," later "small quarrel" (1754), of uncertain origin; OED suggests imitative, "from the sound of a slight puff of air or gas."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper