Scarf

Pronunciation

• IPA: /skɑː(ɹ)f/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)f

Probably from Old Northern French escarpe (cf. Old French escherpe ("pilgrim's purse suspended from the neck")), possibly from Frankish *skirpja or of other origin (cf. Old Norse skreppa ("small bag, wallet, satchel")). Alternatively from Medieval Latin scirpa ("little woven bag of rushes"), from Latin scirpus ("rush, bullrush").

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scarf?s=t

. The verb is derived from the noun.

Full definition of scarf

Noun

1. A long, often knitted, garment worn around the neck.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 2, Now that she had rested and had fed from the luncheon tray Mrs. Broome had just removed, she had reverted to her normal gaiety.  She looked cool in a grey tailored cotton dress with a terracotta scarf and shoes and her hair a black silk helmet.
2. A headscarf.
3. (dated) A neckcloth or cravat.

Verb

1. To throw on loosely; to put on like a scarf.
• 1599-1601, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2:My sea-gown scarfed about me.
2. To dress with a scarf, or as with a scarf; to cover with a loose wrapping.

Of uncertain origin. Possibly from Old Norse skarfr, derivative of skera ("to cut").

Noun

1. A type of joint in woodworking.
2. A groove on one side of a sewing machine needle.
3. A dip or notch or cut made in the trunk of a tree to direct its fall when felling.

Synonyms

• muffler

Verb

1. To shape by grinding.
2. To form a scarf on the end or edge of, as for a joint in timber, forming a "V" groove for welding adjacent metal plates, metal rods, etc.
3. To unite, as two pieces of timber or metal, by a scarf joint.

Of imitative origin, or a variant of scoff. Alternatively from Old English sceorfan ("gnaw, bite").

Verb

1. (transitive, US, slang) To eat very quickly.You sure scarfed that pizza.

Usage notes

The more usual form in the UK is scoff.

Derived terms

• scarf down

Icelandic skarfr?

Noun