transitive. To cut off (a person's head, hands, etc.) with a sword or other weapon. Now archaic.

To put or strike swiftly off, out, up; to dart out (the tongue). Also figurative. Obsolete.

(with away, off) To strike off, cut off at a blow. Obsolete. rare.

transitive. To strike off by or as by a blow; also figurative. to knock off a person's head, to ‘beat’ or surpass him.

To knock off by impact or pulling.