- gaff
- gaffgaff1 [gaf]n.[ME gaffe < OFr < OProv gaf or Sp gafa < Goth gafah, a catch < ga-, intens. + fahan, to catch, akin to FANG]1. a large, strong hook on a pole, or a barbed spear, used in landing large fish2.a) a sharp metal spur fastened to the leg of a gamecockb) any of the steel points on a lineman's climbing iron3.a) a spar or pole extending from the after side of a mast and supporting a fore-and-aft sailb) U.S. Navy a similarly located spar on the mainmast, from which the ensign is flown when a ship is underway4. Slang any secret device for cheatingany secret device for cheating5. [earlier in sense of “a fair”: ? because visitors were gaffed there] [Brit. Slang] Brit. Slang a cheap theater, dance hall, etc.vt.1. to strike or land (a fish) with a gaff2. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] to cheat; hoax; trick3. Naut. Slang to rig with a gaff——————☆ stand the gaffSlang to bear up well under difficulties, punishment, ridicule, etc.; be gamegaff2 [gaf]n.[prob. altered < earlier gab, mockery < ME, deceit: see GAB] [Brit. Slang] foolish talk; nonsense——————blow the gaff [Brit. Slang]to reveal a secret
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.