Refine this word faster
Gaffle
Definitions
- 1 A lever used to bend a crossbow. obsolete
- 2 A steel spur attached to a gamecock (sometimes used figuratively).
"These birds, having been some time previous bereft of the weapons nature designed for their defence, are now fornished with gaffles, or artificial spurs, each of which is a polished steel blade , about three inches in length, half an inch wide at the base, curved slightly upwards, sharp at the point and on the upper edge, and firmly fastened to the leg by means of a clasp."
- 3 A portable fork of iron or wood in which the heavy musket formerly in use was rested that it might be accurately aimed and fired. historical
- 4 a fork in an orienteering race.
- 1 To equip with a gaffle or similar weapon.
"Now, sword or dagger, human arms are but artifical claws and fangs, tied on like false spurs to the fighting cock. So, we repeat, Oberlus, czar of the isle, gaffles his four subjects; that is, with intent of glory, puts four rusty cutlasses into their hands."
- 2 To grab or seize
"They would grapple till they were tired, then stop; but as soon as one would start for the bears the other would gaffle him again."
- 3 to include a gaffle in an orienteering race.
- 4 To get hold of, to find.
"Ye see, he knew there wasn't barely enough grazing for him on that oasis, and a short supply of dates for me, and he had gaffled onto that place and warn't going to let go for no black feller nor yet yeller."
- 5 To arrest for criminal activity.
"Most forgers were “drunken checkers," men who had forged checks at taverns, although now and then someone would arrive who had hung a great deal of paper before getting gaffled."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 To steal
"I presume that one of them walked out to the back end to see if any one had been trespassing, and finding my trap had gaffled it."
- 7 To swindle or bully (someone)
"In other words , you know the trouble around here — and this is pertinent , too — that there have been too many committees in which the minority has allowed itself to be gaffled into submission and silence."
- 8 To talk without a purpose, usually about inane or pointless topics; to babble.
"So I commenced to yell, And old man Pease he hugged his knees and gaffled to his pail."
Etymology
From Middle English gaffolle, a borrowing from Middle Dutch gaffel, gafel (“fork”), ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *gabulu (“fork”), related to Old English gafol, ġeafel (“fork”).
From Middle English gaffolle, a borrowing from Middle Dutch gaffel, gafel (“fork”), ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *gabulu (“fork”), related to Old English gafol, ġeafel (“fork”).
Blend of gaff + grapple.
See also for "gaffle"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: gaffle