scarf´er

scarf¹ «skahrf», noun, plural scarfs or scarves, verb.

–n.

1. a) a long, broad strip of silk, lace, or other material, worn about the neck, shoulders, head, or waist. b) = muffler (def. 2). (Cf. ↑muffler)

2. a long strip of linen, etc., used as a cover for a bureau, table, piano, etc.

3. a necktie with hanging ends.

4. a sash worn across the chest to indicate membership in some ceremonial order.

–v.t.

1. to clothe, cover, or wrap with, or as if with, a scarf.

2. to wrap about or around a person in the manner of a scarf.

3. Archaic. to deck with flags: »

The scarfed bark puts from her native bay (Shakespeare).

╂[< Old North French escarpe < Germanic (compare Old High German scharpe bag, pocket)]

scarf² «skahrf», noun, plural scarfs, verb.

–n.

1. a) a joint in which the ends of beams are cut so that they lap over and join firmly. b) an end cut in this way.

2. a cut made in the body of a whale.

–v.t.

1. to join by a scarf.

2. to form a scarf on (a beam).

3. to remove the skin and blubber from (a whale).

4. Metallurgy. to remove surface blemishes from (steel ingots) by spraying with oxygen before rolling: »

There is increasing demand for oxygen in the “scarfing”…of steel ingots or billets (Wall Street Journal).

Also, scarph.

╂[perhaps < Scandinavian (compare Swedish skarv)]

–scarf´er, noun.

scarf³ «skahrf», transitive verb, intransitive verb.

Informal. to eat quickly or hungrily; gobble: »

The fans scarfed down sausages and beer at weekend double-headers.