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To strike; esp., to smite with the palm or flat of the hand; to slap. I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. Shak. They with their quills did all the hurt they could, And cuffed the tender chickens from their food. Dryden.

A name for a negro. [Slang]

A cuff or blow with the fist or hand; (pl.)

To apply handcuffs to; to manacle. Hay (1754).

A deep flaring cuff.

A rough, coarse fellow; collectively, the lowest class of the people; the rabble; the riffraff. [Colloq. U.S.]

The back part of the neck; the scruff. [Prov. Eng.] Ld. Lytton.

gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with an undisciplined rabble. Eikon Basilike.

One who scuffles.

Firm; sturdy. And for the good old cause stood buff, 'Gainst many a bitter kick and cuff. Hudibras.

A blow with the hand; a slap on the face; a cuff. When on his cheek a buffet fell. Sir W. Scott.

ed in the manufacture of jewelry and many small articles, as combs, brushes, collars, and cuffs; -- originaly called xylonite.

To shut up in, or as in, a closet; to conceal. [R.] Bedlam's closeted and handcuffed charge. Cowper.

Manacles; handcuffs. [Cant] Jem Clink will fetch you the darbies. Sir W. Scott.

The collar and cuffs of a military coat; -- commonly of a color different from that of the coat.

used to extend the petticoat. We'll revel it as bravely as the best, . . . With ruffs and cuffs, and farthingales and things. Shak.

Fetters; chains; handcuffs; manacles. Four of the sufferers were left to rot in irons. Macaulay.

A handcuff; a shackle for the hand or wrist; -- usually in the plural. Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand. Ecclus. xxi. 19.

A mosquetaire cuff or glove, or other article of dress fancied to resemble those worn by the French mosquetaires.

or goffered strip of lace, net, ribbon, or other material, -- used in place of collars or cuffs, and as a trimming for women's dresses and bonnets. [Written also rouche.]