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scarf

 
(skärf) pronunciation
n., pl., scarfs (skärfs), or scarves (skärvz).
  1. A long piece of cloth worn about the head, neck, or shoulders.
  2. A decorative cloth for covering the top of a piece of furniture; a runner.
  3. A sash indicating military rank.
tr.v., scarfed, scarf·ing, scarfs.
  1. To dress, cover, or decorate with or as if with a scarf.
  2. To wrap (an outer garment) around one like a scarf.

[French dialectal escarpe, sash, sling, from Old North French, variant of Old French escherpe, pilgrim's bag hung from the neck, from Frankish *skirpja, small rush, from Latin scirpus, rush.]


scarf2 (skärf) pronunciation
n., pl., scarfs (skärfs).
  1. A joint made by cutting or notching the ends of two pieces correspondingly and strapping or bolting them together. Also called scarf joint.
  2. Either of the correspondingly cut or notched ends that fit together to form such a joint.
tr.v., scarfed, scarf·ing, scarfs.
  1. To join by means of a scarf.
  2. To cut a scarf in.

[Middle English skarf, as in scarfnail, probably from Old Norse skarfr, end piece of a board cut off on the bias.]


scarf3 (skärf) pronunciation
tr.v. Slang, scarfed, scarf·ing, scarfs.
To eat or drink voraciously; devour: "Americans scarf down 50 million hot dogs on an average summer day" (George F. Will).

[Variant of SCOFF2.]

scarfer scarf'er n.

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The word for a piece of outdoor clothing has the plural form scarves, whereas for the unrelated word meaning 'a joint or notch in timber, metal, etc.' it is scarfs.

Previous:scarcely, scant, scanty, scampi
Next:scarify, scenario, scene


1. The end on one of the pieces of timber forming a scarf joint.
2. A scarf joint.



1. tv. to eat something.  Andy scarfed the whole pie.
2. in. to eat.  I'll be with you as soon as I scarf.
3. n. food.  I want some good scarf. This stuff stinks.
4. tv. to steal or swipe something.  The kid scarfed a candy bar, and the store owner called the cops.
5. tv. to discard something.  Scarf that thing. It's no good.

Word Tutor:

scarf

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pronunciation

IN BRIEF: A piece of material worn on the head or around the neck. Also: To eat or drink voraciously; devour.

pronunciation She knitted a scarf that went down to his knees.

LearnThatWord.com is a free vocabulary and spelling program where you only pay for results!

sign description: Both hands move down the sides of the head and 'make a knot' at the chin.




noun
noun, Brit

The practice of auto-asphyxiation for sexual stimulation. (1994 —) .



Previous:scarf, scarecrow, scammer
Next:scarper, scat, schiz
Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'scarf'

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to scarf, see:

  See crossword solutions for the clue Scarf.
A woman wearing a scarf

A scarf is a piece of fabric worn around the neck, or near the head or around the waist for warmth, cleanliness, fashion or for religious reasons. They can come in a variety of different colours.

Contents

History

Ancient Rome is one of the first origins of the scarf, [1] where it was not used to keep warm, but to keep clean. It was called the sudarium, which translates from Latin to English as "sweat cloth," and was used to wipe the sweat from the neck and face in hot weather. They were originally worn by men around their neck or tied to their belt. Soon women started using the scarfs, which were made of cloth and not made of wool, pashmina, or silk, and ever since the scarf has been fashionable among women. [2]

Historians believe that during the reign of the Chinese Emperor Cheng, scarfs made of cloth were used to identify officers or the rank of Chinese warriors. [3]

In later times scarfs were also worn by soldiers of all ranks in Croatia around the 17th Century. The only difference in the soldiers' scarfs that designated a difference in rank was that the officers had silk scarfs whilst the other ranks were issued with cotton scarfs. The men's scarfs were sometimes referred to as "cravats" (from the French cravate, meaning "Croat"), and were the precursor of the necktie.

The scarf became a real fashion accessory by the early 19th Century for both men and women. By the middle of the 20th Century scarfs became one of the most essential[citation needed] and versatile clothing accessories for both men and women.

In recent years, scarfs have experienced a revival.[4]

Uses and types

A Somali woman wearing a traditional headscarf.

In cold climates, a thick knitted scarf, often of wool, is tied around the neck to keep warm. This is usually accompanied by a warm hat and heavy coat.

In drier, dustier warm climates, or in environments where there are many airborne contaminants, a thin headscarf, kerchief, or bandanna is often worn over the head to keep the hair clean. Over time, this custom has evolved into a fashionable item in many cultures, particularly among women. The cravat, an ancestor of the necktie and bow tie, evolved from scarfs of this sort in Croatia.

Religions such as Judaism under Halakhah (Jewish Law) promotes modest dress code among women. Married Jewish women wear a tichel to cover their hair. The Tallit is commonly worn by Jewish men especially for prayers which they wrap around their head to recite the blessing of the Tallit.

Young Sikh boys, and sometimes girls often wear a bandanna to cover their hair, before moving onto the turban. Older Sikhs may wear them as an under-turban.

Islam promotes modest dress among men and women; many Muslim women wear a headscarf often known as a hijab, and in Quranic Arabic as the khimar. The Keffiyeh is commonly used by Muslim men.

Several Christian denominations include a scarf known as a Stole as part of their liturgical vestments.

Silk scarfs were used by pilots of early aircraft in order to keep oily smoke from the exhaust out of their mouths while flying. Silk Scarfs were worn by pilots of closed cockpit aircraft to prevent neck chafing, especially fighter pilots, who were constantly turning their heads from side to side watching for enemy aircraft.

Wollen scarfs with Bandhani work are becoming very popular. Bandhani or Bandhej is the name of the tie and dye technique used commonly in Bhuj and Mandvi of Kutch District of Gujarat State in India.

Scarfs can be tied in many ways including the pussy-cat bow, the square knot, the cowboy bib, the ascot knot, the loop, the necktie, and the gypsy kerchief.[5]

Uniforms

Students in the United Kingdom traditionally wear academic scarves with distinctive combinations of striped colours identifying their individual university or college.

Four Scout scarves. They are (clockwise from top) the 21st World Scout Jamboree scarf, a Gang Show scarf from Cumberland Gang Show, the troop and group scarf from 1st Cherrybrook Scout Group, and the national scarf for Australia.

Members of the Scouting Movement wear scarfs as part of their uniform, with different colours and logos to represent their scout group. They are also used at camps to represent units, subcamps or the camp as a whole. Fun scarfs are also used as memorabilia at Scout events and country scarfs are often traded at international gatherings.

Bib scarf

The US Army and other American military units often wore branch of service colour or camouflage bib scarves with various uniforms.

Sport

Portuguese football scarves held in a coordinated display, Euro 2004.

Since at least the early 1900s, when the phenomenon began in Britain, coloured scarves have been traditional supporter wear for fans of association football teams across the world, even those in warmer climates. These scarves come in a wide variety of sizes and are made in a club's particular colours and may contain the club crest, pictures of renowned players, and various slogans relating to the history of the club and its rivalry with others. in which all supporters in a section of the stadium will stretch out their scarves above their heads with both hands, creating an impressive 'wall' of colour, usually accompanied by the singing of a club anthem such as "You'll Never Walk Alone" at Liverpool F.C.[6] or "Grazie Roma" at A.S. Roma. This was initially solely a British phenomenon, but has since spread to the rest of Europe and South America.

Scarf wearing is also a noted feature of support for Australian rules football clubs in the Australian Football League. The scarves are in the form of alternating bars of colour, usually with the team name or mascot written on each second bar.

Manufacturing of scarfs

The craft of knitting garments such as scarfs is an important trade in some countries. Hand-knitted scarves are still common as gifts as well.

Printed scarves are additionally offered internationally through high fashion design houses such as Burberry, Missoni, Alexander McQueen, Cole Haan, Chanel, Etro, Lanvin, Hermès, Nicole Miller, Ferragamo, Emilio Pucci, Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Prada, for example.

There are three basic scarf shapes: square, triangular and rectangular.[7]

The leading manufacturer of fashion scarves used today is China with India, Hong Kong and Indonesia close behind. The most common materials used to make fashion scarves are silk, fleece, pashmina and cashmere.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Smith, Patrick. "History of the scarf". http://www.content-corral.com/Article/History-of-the-scarf/11668. Retrieved April 19, 2011. 
  2. ^ Smith, Patrick. "History of the scarf". http://www.content-corral.com/Article/History-of-the-scarf/11668. Retrieved April 19, 2011. 
  3. ^ Smith, Patrick. "History of the scarf". http://www.content-corral.com/Article/History-of-the-scarf/11668. Retrieved April 19, 2011. 
  4. ^ "Scarves History". Silk Scarves India. http://www.silkscarvesindia.com/history.htm. 
  5. ^ Perry, Patricia, (1971). "Everything About Sewing Ponchos Capes Scarves & Stoles", New York: Butterick Fashion Marketing Company. 70-169062
  6. ^ You'll Never Walk Alone, Liverpool Football Club, 2005
  7. ^ Perry, Patricia, (1971). "Everything About Sewing Ponchos Capes Scarves & Stoles", New York: Butterick Fashion Marketing Company. 70-169062
  8. ^ "Ties that Bind - History of Fashion Scarves". ScarfAid. http://www.scarfaid.com/scarves-general/ties-that-bind-–-history-of-fashion-scarves.html. Retrieved April 19, 2011. 

External links


Translations:

Scarf

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Dansk (Danish)
1.
n. - tørklæde, halstørklæde, skærf
v. tr. - dække med et tørklæde

2.
v. tr. - sammenblade
n. - sammenbladning

3.
v. tr. - sluge

Nederlands (Dutch)
hoofddoek, sjaal, das

Français (French)
1.
n. - écharpe, foulard
v. tr. - habiller, couvrir, ou orner d'une écharpe

2.
v. tr. - assembler à mi-bois, souder (deux bouts de métal ou bois) par un système d'entailles ou de biseaux
n. - assemblage à mi-bois, soudure

3.
v. tr. - manger goulûment/avec appétit

Deutsch (German)
1.
n. - Kopftuch, Schultertuch, Schal, Halstuch
v. - in einen Schal einhüllen

2.
v. - zuschärfen
n. - Verblattung, Laschenverbindung

3.
v. - etwas hungrig essen oder trinken

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - φουλάρι, κασκόλ, σάρπα, (ναυτ.) κρημνώδης ακτή
v. - ενώνω με μόρσο, (καθομ.) χλαπακιάζω

Italiano (Italian)
fazzoletto, scialle, sciarpa

Português (Portuguese)
n. - cachecol (m), estola (f), talho (m)
v. - escavar

Русский (Russian)
шарф, кашне, галстук, траурная повязка, перевязь, офицерский шарф, епитрахиль, скос (кромки), косая кромка, соединение замком, баклан, надевать в виде шарфа, набрасывать на плечи, обвивать, сращивать, резать вкось, обтесывать край, углы

Español (Spanish)
1.
n. - pañuelo de cabeza, pañuelo, chal, bufanda
v. tr. - envolver, cubrir, adornar

2.
v. tr. - ensamblar a media madera
n. - ensambladura a media madera

3.
v. tr. - comer con mucho apetito o beber de modo entusiasta

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - scarf, halsduk, sjal, sjalett, duk, löpare, lask, skarv
v. - sätta på ngn en scarf, halsduk etc, laska, skarva ihop

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
1. 围巾, 头巾, 披巾, 领巾, 围, 用围巾围, 披, 用披巾披

2. 嵌接, 槽, 斜面, 截面, 切口, 凿槽于

3. 吃

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
1.
n. - 圍巾, 頭巾, 披巾, 領巾
v. tr. - 圍, 用圍巾圍, 披, 用披巾披

2.
n. - 嵌接, 槽, 斜面, 截面, 切口
v. tr. - 嵌接, 鑿槽於

3.
v. tr. - 吃

한국어 (Korean)
1.
n. - 스카프, (군인, 고관의) 현장, (테이블, 피아노 따위의) 덮개
v. tr. - ~에 스카프를 하다, 덮다, 가리다

2.
v. tr. - 스카프 이음으로 잇다, 끼워 맞추다, (고래에) 칼금을 내어 가죽을 벗기다
n. - 스카프 이음, 접합에 쓰는 금속 조각, (잘라 낸) 고래 가죽의 작은 조각

3.
v. tr. - ~을 허겁지겁 먹다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - スカーフ, ネクタイ, テーブル掛け, マフラー

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) وشاح (فعل) يوشح‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮צעיף, סודר, רדיד‬
v. tr. - ‮לבש או עיטר בצעיף‬
v. tr. - ‮חיבר קצוות שתי חתיכות עץ או מתכת‬
n. - ‮פיסה המחברת שתי חתיכות מעץ או ממתכת‬
v. tr. - ‮אכל או שתה בתאוותנות‬


 
 

 

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 Fowler's Modern English Usage. Oxford University Press. © 1999, 2004 All rights reserved.  Read more
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