noun
pelf
Pelf (noun) means Money or wealth, especially when got dishonestly.
noun
1
Money or wealth, especially when got dishonestly.
"Some of the rich classmates were keeping their pelf to themselves."
— Nicholas von Hoffman, The Class of ’43 is Puzzled (1968)
"In advertising, show business, and journalism, people work themselves to the nub for glitz and glory more than for pelf."
— Ford S. Worthy, You’re Probably Working Too Hard (1987)
2
Waste material, especially plant matter thrown away.
3
Fine dust or fluff.
4
A person regarded as worthless or despicable.
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Etymology
From Late Middle English pelf, pelfe (“stolen goods, booty, spoil; forfeited property; money, riches; property; valuable object”), possibly from Anglo-Norman pelf (a variant of pelfre (“booty, loot”)) and Old French peufre (“frippery; rubbish”); further etymology uncertain, possibly a metathesis of Old French felpe, ferpe, frepe (“a rag”). The English word is perhaps related to Late Latin pelfa, pelfra, pelfrum (“forfeited or stolen goods”), Middle French peuffe and French peufe, peuffe (“old clothes; rubbish”) (Normandy), and pilfer.
Related words
Rhymes for pelf
See all rhymes for pelf →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of pelf?
"pelf" (noun) means money or wealth, especially when got dishonestly.
What is another word for pelf?
Other words for "pelf" include cabbage, lucre, kale, dough, boodle, clams.
What are the different meanings of pelf?
"pelf" has 3 main meanings: 1. Money or wealth, especially when got dishonestly; 2. Waste material, especially plant matter thrown away; 3. Fine dust or fluff.
