doff

[ dof, dawf ]

verb (used with object)

1. to remove or take off, as clothing.
2. to remove or tip (the hat), as in greeting.
3. to throw off; get rid of:

   Doff your stupid ideas and join our side!

4. Textiles.
   1. to strip (carded fiber) from a carding machine.
   2. to remove (full bobbins, material, etc.) from a textile machine.

noun

1. Textiles.
   1. the act of removing bobbins, material, etc., and stripping fibers from a textile machine.
   2. the material so doffed.

doff

/ dɒf /

verb

1. to take off or lift (one's hat) in salutation
2. to remove (clothing)

Derived Forms

• ˈdoffer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of doff¹

1300–50; Middle English, contraction of do off; don ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of doff¹

Old English dōn of; see do ¹, off ; compare don ¹

Example Sentences

Ivory Coast is “The Elephants,” Nigeria “The Super Eagles,” but doff your cap to Cameroon: “The Indomitable Lions.”

From The Daily Beast

Doff your shirt, and it can make you all-powerful, as it does Shane Carwin of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

From The Daily Beast

Morgan Doff Reed College Class of 2010 “Morgan, say it slower and pronounce each word.”

From The Daily Beast

There were rumors, too, that nuns might be permitted to doff their habits and move through the world like 'normal' people.

From The Daily Beast

And feeding high, and living soft,Grew plump and able-bodied; Until the grave churchwarden doff'd,The parson smirk'd and nodded.

From Project Gutenberg

Daniel was obliged to doff his black coat and put on a blue one, made for a much smaller man, and then he appeared amongst us.

From Project Gutenberg

The task is now 12 doffs a day—each doff requiring a change of 208 bobbins.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, when it came my turn, I would doff my hat to the earth and beg pardon for continuing a comparatively futile existence.

From Project Gutenberg

With cheers of relief we were permitted to doff our bulky life belts.

From Project Gutenberg