doff

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English doffen (take off), contraction of Old English dōn of. Equivalent to a blend of do +‎ off. Compare don, dup, dout, gauf.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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doff (third-person singular simple present doffs, present participle doffing, simple past and past participle doffed)

  1. (clothing) To remove or take off (something such as clothing).
    Synonym: take off
    Antonyms: don, put on
  2. To remove or tip a hat, as in greeting, salutation or as a mark of respect.
    The rustics doffed their hats at the clergy.
  3. To get rid of, to throw off.
    Doff that stupid idea: it would never work.
    • 1778, Charles Dibdin, “The Perfect Sailor”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name):
      Thus Death, who kings and tars despatches, / In vain Tom's life has doffed, / For, though his body's under hatches / His soul has gone aloft.
  4. (reflexive) To strip; to divest; to undress.
    • 1646, Richard Crashaw, Steps to the Temple:
      Heaven's King, who doffs himself weak flesh to wear.

Derived terms

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Translations

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Yola

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English doffen.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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doff (simple past doft or daffed, past participle ee-daff)

  1. to strip

References

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  • Jacob Poole (d. 1827) (before 1828) William Barnes, editor, A Glossary, With some Pieces of Verse, of the old Dialect of the English Colony in the Baronies of Forth and Bargy, County of Wexford, Ireland, London: J. Russell Smith, published 1867, page 35