Definition of cuff

cuffnoun

cổ tay áo

/kʌf//kʌf/

The word "cuff" derives from the Old Norse word "hoftha," which means "embrace." The term was originally applied to the tight-fitting sleeve on a man's shirt or jacket that surrounds the wrist, similar to how a person would embrace their wrist. This usage can be traced back to the 16th century. In the 19th century, the term "cuff" came to refer specifically to the lined fabric fold at the end of a pants leg that is fastened around the ankle with a button or a snap. This usage seems to have arisen as a way to prevent the pants from slipping off the wearer's ankle. Today, the word "cuff" is most commonly associated with wristbands and sleeves, but its Old Norse origins illustrate its broader, historical meaning as a term for any type of garment or accessory that embraces, surrounds, or clasps a body part in a tight, protective manner.

namespace

the lower end of a coat or shirt sleeve at the wrist

đầu dưới của áo khoác hoặc tay áo sơ mi ở cổ tay

Example:
  • a collar and cuffs of white lace

    cổ áo và cổ tay áo bằng ren trắng

handcuffs (= a pair of metal rings joined by a chain, used for holding the wrists of a prisoner together)

còng tay (= một cặp vòng kim loại được nối bằng dây xích, dùng để giữ cổ tay của tù nhân lại với nhau)

the bottom of the leg of a pair of trousers that has been folded over on the outside

phần dưới ống quần của một chiếc quần đã được gấp ở bên ngoài

a light hit with an open hand

một cú đánh nhẹ bằng một bàn tay mở

Example:
  • to give somebody a friendly cuff

    đưa cho ai một chiếc còng thân thiện

Related words and phrases

Idioms

off the cuff
without previous thought or preparation
  • I'm just speaking off the cuff here—I haven't seen the results yet.
  • an off-the-cuff remark