daff
verbEtymology From Middle English daffen (“to render foolish”), from daf, daffe (“fool, idiot”). See above.
1
Scotland To be foolish; make sport; play; toy.
- We'll hauld our court mid the roaring lins, And daff in the lashan' tide1820 May, unknown author, “Marmaiden of Clyde”, in Edinburgh Magazine:
- They admired and loved each other—enjoyed easy circumstances—had duties to discharge which they did not neglect; and, clear in conscience as light of heart, laughed, sung, danced, daffed the world aside, and bid it pass.1822, Sir Walter Scott, The Pirate:
2 more examples
- Left thus for long spaces in the company of Betty and the child, that daffed and croddled about her, and even became warmly friendly with me for the sake of my Paris watch and my glittering waistcoat buttons, I made many gallant attempts to get on my old easy footing.1898 July, Neil Munro, “John Splendid: The Tale of a Poor Gentleman and the Little Wars of Lorn”, in The Living Age, volume 218, page 185:
- As the afternoon progressed, we become 'daffed' out.2011, Kevan Manwaring, Turning the Wheel:
- Young Tam came up and eyed me quick With reddened cheek—Braw Tam was daffed like a chick—He could na speak—Ah Marie they are all gane hame1818, John Keats, To Thomas Keats:
- I made out—to put it clearly—that the Sultan had been far gone in his cups when Kiamil appeared before him; that he had called the Basha such 'daffing' names as 'renegade dog,' 'toothless old hound,' 'hound without scent, that could not smell out an intrigue under his nose;' which agreeable epithets doubtless were flung about because Lorimer, and not he, had got wind of the conspiracy of the notables.1894, James MacLaren Cobban, The Red Sultan: A Story of Adventure, page 295:
1 more example
- "Perhaps, most Elysian of fair ladies, it would be, as one might say, more seemly if I, as a justice of the peace—" Brilliana daffed him down.1904, Justin Huntly McCarthy, The Lady of Loyalty House, page 226:
- Derived terms
- daffing, daffle