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Added 9 October 2026

scarf

/skɑːf/ noun

In Latin: fōcāle Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about scarf at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A long, often knitted, garment worn around the neck.
A headscarf.
A neckcloth or cravat.

verb

To throw on loosely; to put on like a scarf.
To dress with a scarf, or as with a scarf; to cover with a loose wrapping.
She scarfed her head.
To cover as or like a scarf.
A cowl scarfed her shoulders.

noun

A type of joint in woodworking, formed by two shaped ends that fit into or onto each other.
A groove on one side of a sewing machine needle.
A dip or notch or cut made in the trunk of a tree to direct its fall when felling.

verb

To shape by grinding or oxyfuel torch cutting.
To form a scarf on the end or edge of, as for a joint in timber, forming a "V" groove for welding adjacent metal plates, metal rods, etc.
To unite, as two pieces of timber or metal, by a scarf joint.

Origin

Probably from Old Northern French escarpe (compare Old French escharpe (“pilgrim's purse suspended from the neck”), which see). The verb is derived from the noun. Doublet of scrip.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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