noun
gaffle
Gaffle (noun) means a lever employed to bend a crossbow.
noun
1
A lever employed to bend a crossbow.
2
A metal spur fixed to a fighting cock's leg.
"Conkling and Me Too Platt, by putting the gaffles into President Garfield, ruptured the Republican party from narrative to neckband, and the Democrats won in a walk."
— William Cowper Brann, Brann (1906)
3
A portable iron or wooden fork once used to rest a heavy musket on so it could be aimed steadily.
4
A point where the course splits in an orienteering race.
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Etymology
Comes from Middle English gaffolle, itself borrowed from Middle Dutch gaffel, gafel (‘fork’), ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *gabulu (‘fork’); it is related to Old English gafol, ġeafel (‘fork’).
Rhymes for gaffle
See all rhymes for gaffle →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of gaffle?
"gaffle" (noun) means a lever employed to bend a crossbow.
What are the different meanings of gaffle?
"gaffle" has 3 main meanings: 1. A lever employed to bend a crossbow; 2. A metal spur fixed to a fighting cock's leg; 3. A portable iron or wooden fork once used to rest a heavy musket on so it could be aimed steadily.
