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muff¹

(mŭf)

v. muffed, muff·ing, muffs

v.tr.

1. To perform or handle clumsily or ineptly; bungle. See Synonyms at botch.

2. Sports To fail to make (a catch).

v.intr.

To perform a task clumsily or ineptly.

1. A clumsy or bungled action.

2. Sports A failure to make a catch.

[Origin unknown.]

muff²

(mŭf)

1. A small cylindrical fur or cloth cover, open at both ends, in which the hands are placed for warmth.

2. A cluster of feathers on the side of the face of certain breeds of fowl.

3. Vulgar Slang The vulva.

[Dutch mof, from Middle Dutch moffel, from Old French mofle, mitten, from Medieval Latin muffula, perhaps of Germanic origin.]

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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