Miff

Pronunciation

• Canada IPA: /mɪf/

Origin

Origin uncertain.

Full definition of miff

Noun

1. A small argument, quarrel.
• 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundlingnay, she would throw it in the teeth of Allworthy himself, when a little quarrel, or miff, as it is vulgarly called, arose between them.
• 1872, Thomas Hardy, Under the Greenwood TreeJohn Wildway and I had a miff and parted;...
2. A state of being offended.
• 1851, T. S. Arthur, Off-Hand SketchesShe's taken a miff at something, I suppose, and means to cut my acquaintance.

Verb

1. (transitive, usually used in the passive) to offend slightly
• 1805, March 12th, The journals of Lewis and Clark, he Interpreter Shabonah will not agree to work let our Situation be what it may nor Stand a guard, and if miffed with any man he wishes to return when he pleases
• 1824, Sir Walter Scott, Redgauntlet... answered my Thetis, a little miffed perhaps -- to use the women's phrase -- that I turned the conversation upon my former partner, rather than addressed it to herself.
• 1911, James Oliver Curwood, Philip Steele of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police"Don't get miffed about it, man," returned Nome with an irritating laugh.
2. (intransitive) to become slightly offended
• 1905, George Barr McCutcheon, Jane CableShe miffed and started to reply, but thought better of it.