loaf
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Etymology 1
From Middle English lof, laf, from Old English hlāf (“loaf, cake, bread, food, sacramental bread”), from Proto-Germanic *hlaibaz (“bread, loaf”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Old English hlīfan (“to stand out prominently, tower up”). Cognate with Scots laif (“loaf”), German Laib (“loaf”), Swedish lev (“loaf”).
[edit] Noun
loaf (plural loaves)
- (also loaf of bread) A block of bread after baking.
- Any solid block of food, such as meat.
- (Cockney rhyming slang) Shortened from "loaf of bread", the brain or the head (mainly in the phrase use one's loaf).
- 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VIII and XII:
- It is frequently said of Bertram Wooster that he is a man who can think on his feet, and if the necessity arises he can also use his loaf when on all fours. [...] “Why didn't the idiot tell her not to open it?” “It was his first move. ‘I've found a letter from you here, precious,’ she said. ‘On no account open it, angel,’ he said. So of course she opened it.” She pursed the lips, nodded the loaf, and ate a moody piece of crumpet. “So that's why he's been going about looking like a dead fish.”
- 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VIII and XII:
- A solid block of soap, from which standard bars are cut.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] References
- (soap) Miller, J.L. "Customers believe in downstate Soap Fairy", The News Journal, B10, January 10, 2006.
[edit] Translations
block of bread
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large block of soap
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[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Etymology 2
Probably a back-formation from loafer.
[edit] Verb
loaf (third-person singular simple present loafs, present participle loafing, simple past and past participle loafed)
- (intransitive) To do nothing, to be idle.
- loaf about, loaf around.
- (Cockney rhyming slang) To headbutt, (from loaf of bread)
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Translations
do nothing
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