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scarf²

(skärf)

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, nail for fastening a scarf joint), probably from Old Norse skarfr, end piece of a board cut off on the bias.]

(click for a larger image)

scarf2

top: plain scarf

bottom: hooked scarf

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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