Gaffle

Quick meaning: Gaffle is a noun meaning A steel spur attached to a gamecock (sometimes used figuratively).

Meaning

A steel spur attached to a gamecock (sometimes used figuratively).

More Meanings

1. a fork in an orienteering race.
2. To equip with a gaffle or similar weapon.
3. to include a gaffle in an orienteering race.
4. To grab or seize
5. To get hold of, to find.
6. (obsolete) A lever used to bend a crossbow.
7. (historical, weaponry) A portable fork of iron or wood in which the heavy musket formerly in use was rested that it might be accurately aimed and fired.

Example Sentences

They would grapple till they were tired, then stop; but as soon as one would start for the bears the other would gaffle him again.

One sits with a harp at his lord's feet; another tames the wild hawk and trains him, teaches him with his little gaffles till the Welsh bird becomes docile.

Gentlemen took great interest in the management of the cock, the skill of gaffling, the science of feeding and grooming, and the expertness in handling the fowl.

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.

Word Forms

• gaffles
• gaffling
• gaffled

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include gavelock, gripple, latchet, grate, lever, gudgeon.

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