scuffn.1
/skʌf/, U.S. /skəf/ 1.
a. Scottish. A slight glancing blow; a ‘brush’ with the hand. to get upon the skuff, to get to scuffling.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > [noun] > glancing blow
glacec1400
scuff1824
sideswipe1857
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. (at cited word) The scuff is the wind, as it were; the scuff of a cannon ball, blows a man to pieces.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. at Scufe Scuff. 1. The act of grazing, or touching lightly. 2. A stroke, apparently a slight one, Banffs.
1839 D. M. Moir Life Mansie Wauch (rev. ed.) xxiii. 292 After giving his breeches-knees a skuff with his loof, to dad off the stoure.
1854 H. Miller My Schools & Schoolmasters (1858) 337 We got upon the skuff after you left us.
1899 J. Strang Lass of Lennox xv ‘She was a dacent woman Lucky’... ‘She was a' that’, says he, gie'in' his een a bit scuff wi' the back o' his haun'.
b. transferred. A gust or puff of wind or rain.
ΚΠ
1895 S. R. Crockett Men of Moss-hags xlviii It was a dark, gloomy day, with..scuffs of grey showers scudding among the hilltops.
2.
a. The noise made by the ‘scuffing’ of feet: see scuff v. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > harsh or discordant quality > [noun] > scratching or scraping > of feet
scuffing1883
scuff1899
scuffle1899
1899 B. M. Dix Hugh Gwyeth xvi They rode a long space in silence, save for the soft scuff of the horses now and again as they came upon a stretch of sandy road.
b. A mark made by scraping or rubbing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > disfigurement > [noun] > a disfigurement or blemish > scuff
scuff1954
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > rubbing or friction > [noun] > scratching, scraping, or abrasion > a scratch or mark made by scratching or scraping
scorec1400
gall1545
rasure1596
ranch1611
rit1709
scuff1954
1954 J. Steinbeck Sweet Thursday v. 35 Brown calf shoes.., scuff on the right toe.
1976 B. Lecomber Dead Weight i. 11 A thousand scuffs and scratches in the shabby wood and leather.
3. A rowdy crowd, rabble; also, one of such a crowd. Cf. scurf n.1 4.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > the lowest class > [noun] > the rabble > a rabble
ginga1275
frapaillec1330
rabblea1398
rascal1415
rafflea1450
mardlec1480
rabblement1543
riff-raff1570
rabble rout?1589
scum1597
skim1606
tumult1629
rebel rout1648
mob1688
drabble1789
attroopment1795
scuff1856
shower1936
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > the lowest class > [noun] > the rabble > a rabble > member of
rabbler1572
scuff1856
1856 J. Ballantine Poems 67 On Queen's birth-days, thy squibs and pluffs Slappit in face o' drucken scuffs.
1879 Macmillan's Mag. 40 501/1 This got a scuff (crowd) round us.
4. A type of slipper or sandal without a back. Chiefly U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > shoe > [noun] > types of > without a back
scuff1909
scuffer1911
slide1975
1909 in Cent. Dict. Suppl.
1938 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Fall–Winter 324/3 Adorable Slip-on ‘Scuffs’. No trouble at all to slip in or out of these cunning, snug ‘scuffs’.
1945 Creative Footwear Apr. 106/2 (advt.) Shearling scuff, leather sole.
1953 ‘S. Ransome’ Drag Dark xiv. 140 In the snow in her stocking feet, her red scuffs lost behind her.
1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 135 Mule, loose slipper with front vamp only, no back. Also called a ‘scuff’.
1974 Spartanburg (S. Carolina) Herald 18 Apr. (Kmart Advt. Suppl.) 1 Soft-stepping flowered cotton terry cloth scuffs, molded rubber sole.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
scuffn.2
/skʌf/, U.S. /skəf/ The nape of the neck (only in references to seizing by the ‘scuff (of the neck)’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > neck > [noun] > back of neck
napea1325
hattrelc1330
nolla1382
skull1382
polla1398
nape of the neck (also head)1440
noddle1547
niddick1558
nuke1562
nuque1578
nub1673
nod1695
cuff of the neck1740
nucha1768
scuff1787
scruff1790
scroop1850
kitchen1964
α.
β. 1823 in Spirit of Public Jrnls. 129 The champion caught the scampering coppersmith by the ‘scuff of the neck’.1846 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. in Wks. II. 91/1 Take them by the scuf, and out with 'em.1865 M. Eyre Lady's Walks South of France xiii. 159 I caught him [a dog] by the scuff of his neck.1787 F. Grose Provinc. Gloss. Skuft (of the neck), the cuff or back of the neck.
1818 R. Wilbraham Attempt Gloss. Cheshire Skufft, the back part of the neck.
1878 J. Hartley Halifax Clock Almanack 31 (E.D.D.) He seized Dawdles by th' scuft o' th' neck.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
scuffv.
/skʌf/, U.S. /skəf/ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > undutifulness > [verb (transitive)] > avoid
scuff1595
balk1631
evade1722
shirk1785
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > avoid (duty, work, or exertion)
shoot1543
scuff1595
to shuffle off1604
shirk1785
funk1834
gold-brick1918
dingo1930
squib1934
skate1945
1595 A. Duncan Appendix Etymologiae: Index in Latinae Grammaticae Eludo, to scuffe, to shift off.
2.
a. To touch lightly in passing; to strike with a slight glancing blow; to brush against (an object); to wipe off (something) with such a blow or stroke.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > specific manner of progressive motion > move or cause to move progressively in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > move lightly over or along
scum1513
shave1513
sweep1538
raze1555
grazea1616
frizzle1634
brush1647
brush1674
to brush (a thing) over1700
skim1796
skiff1807
scuff1818
skitter1885
swab1892
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > wiping > clean by wiping [verb (transitive)] > wipe away dirt, etc.
wipec960
wipec1000
wipe1398
scuff1818
1818 G. Beattie John o' Arnha' (ed. 2) 63 [The bird] Now soar'd aloft, now scuff'd the ground.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. Scuff, to touch, to graze.
1832–53 A. Crawford in Whistle-Binkie III. 84 The sun clam up..And frae his e'ebrows scuff'd the mornin' dew.
1867 W. Gregor Dial. Banffshire (Philol. Soc.) 151 Scuff, to wipe very lightly; as, ‘Scuff the stew aff o' yir sheen’.
b. To scrape (the ground, boards, etc.) with the feet; to wear off by treading.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > wear off by
scuff1897
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)] > express contempt of > by gesture
finger-point1563
to bite the thumb at1573
fig1600
tweak1604
to make horns at1607
rump1737
to snap one's fingers at1806
to give (a person) the finger1874
scuff1897
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > rubbing or friction > rub [verb (transitive)] > scrape
shavec725
shrapec1000
claw1377
screeve?1440
scartc1480
gratec1530
rape1533
ruffle1615
corrade1646
comb1654
rasp1707
scrape1731
skin1795
scuff1897
1897 W. Beatty Secretar xlviii To whilk speech, after I had skuffed the boards with my feet,..I made answer.
1905 F. Treves Other Side of Lantern ii. xvii. 115 A common of worn earth from which a million feet have scuffed whatever living thing has grown upon it.
3.
a. intransitive. To walk (through dew, dust, snow, etc.) so as to brush it aside or throw it up; hence transitive, to throw up (dust by this manner of walking).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > through dust or snow
scuff1768
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > shuffle (the feet) > raise (dust, etc.) by
scuff1893
1768 A. Ross Rock & Wee Pickle Tow in Fortunate Shepherdess 132 With a pair of rough rullions to scuff thro' the dew.
1893 G. E. Dartnell & E. H. Goddard Gloss. Words Wilts. (at cited word) To ‘scuff up’ the dust..by dragging a foot along the road.
1900 Academy 28 Apr. 363/1 How pleasant it is to scuff along amidst the clattering leaves!
b. To shuffle with the feet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > shuffle or drag the feet
shuffle1576
shauchle1721
slare1726
shaffle1781
scuffle1825
slodge1829
scuff1847
slip-slop1870
slur1889
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II Scuff, to shuffle in walking. West.
1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester
1896 G. F. Northall Warwickshire Word-bk.
1902 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 41/1 I vainly tried to scuff over the boards with my leather-soled shoes in the same noisy fashion as the men whose hobnailed boots scraped and banged against the wood.
4. transitive. To buffet (a person).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > specific animate object
drepeOE
smitec1200
buffet?c1225
strike1377
rapa1400
seta1400
frontc1400
ballc1450
throw1488
to bear (a person) a blow1530
fetch1556
douse1559
knetcha1564
slat1577
to hit any one a blow1597
wherret1599
alapate1609
shock1614
baske1642
measure1652
plump1785
jow1802
nobble1841
scuff1841
clump1864
bust1873
plonk1874
to sock it to1877
dot1881
biff1888
dong1889
slosh1890
to soak it to1892
to cop (a person) one1898
poke1906
to hang one on1908
bop1931
clonk1949
1841 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 50 482/1 By these [persons]..this man of medicine is huffed and scuffed about.
1845 Round Preacher ii. 40 The gentleman..scuffed and kicked him.
1875 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie's Wallet (ed. 3) Gloss. (E.D.D.) Scuffs his ear.
5. intransitive for passive.
a. To become marked, worn, or damaged by rubbing or scraping.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > waste away > wear > by rubbing
scuff1930
1930 Publishers' Weekly 21 June 2976 In some respects its wearing qualities are superior, particularly as regards scuffing.
1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) Soft bindings scuff easily.
1978 Radio Times 18 Mar. 80 (advt.) For kids who play rough, shoes that won't scuff.
b. Of a metal part: to undergo scuffing (scuffing n. 3).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > of parts: operate [verb (intransitive)] > be scuffed
scuff1959
1959 Engineering 23 Jan. 117/3 The untreated mild steel rings scuffed shortly after being put under test.
1970 H. J. Watson Mod. Gear Production xvi. 283 The peaks [of helical gears] were prone to scuff or pit in service largely owing to the high local loading on the restricted areas.
Compounds
scuff-resistant adj. resistant to scuffing.
ΚΠ
1959 Spectator 21 Aug. 219 (advt.) Everything from scuff-resistant flooring and unbreakable gramophone records to transparent polyethylene wrapping.
1978 Radio Times 18 Mar. 80 (advt.) A shoe that's an astonishing 30 to 40 times more scuff-resistant than normal leather.
scuff resistance n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > [noun] > durability > specific
mar resistance1942
scuff resistance1967
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > [adjective] > durable > specific
scuff resistance1967
1967 Times Rev. Industry May 84/3 The growing demand for higher gloss and better scuff and product resistance has led to the development of synthetic resin based types [of varnish].
Draft additions 1993
c. To mark or damage the surface of (shoes, furniture, etc.) by scraping or rubbing; to make shabby by wear and tear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to waste away > wear away or down > (as) by rubbing
grate1555
fray1710
fridge1761
rub1791
file1837
scuff1909
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Scuff, v.t...to injure or make shabby by wear.
1940 R. Chandler Farewell, my Lovely xxxvii. 280 The speedboat scuffed the Montecito's ancient sides.
1973 F. King Flights ix. 133 She kicked at the pavement, scuffing her sandal with ochre dust.
1988 N. Lowndes Chekago iv. 173 Boris's eldest son was sitting on a low nursery chair outside his parents' room scuffing the heels of his new school shoes.
Draft additions 1993
d. To shuffle, drag, or push (one's feet) in(to) or through something.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > going on foot > traverse on foot [verb (transitive)] > laboriously or aimlessly
trudge1635
trollopa1745
plod1751
trampa1774
traipse1885
scuff1909
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Scuff, v.t...to drag while moving; to shuffle; as, to scuff the feet.
1936 M. Mitchell Gone with the Wind xxxi. 519 She paused to..scuff her feet deeper into the strip of old quilting wrapped about them.
1938 M. K. Rawlings Yearling ix. 78 The lavender petals of the chinaberry blooms were falling. Jody scuffed his bare toes through them.
1980 W. Golding Rites of Passage (1982) 137 I threw on my greatcoat, scuffed my feet into slippers and felt my way out on deck.
1986 P. Barker Century's Daughter iv. 44 Liza scuffed her feet in the dust.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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