Scarf, n.; pl.
Scarfs, rarely Scarves
(skärvz). [Cf. OF. escharpe a pilgrim's scrip, or wallet
(hanging about the neck), F. écharpe sash, scarf;
probably from OHG. scharpe pocket; also (from the French) Dan.
skiærf; Sw. skärp, Prov. G.
schärfe, LG. scherf, G. schärpe; and
also AS. scearf a fragment; possibly akin to E. scrip a
wallet. Cf. Scarp a scarf.] An article of dress of a light
and decorative character, worn loosely over the shoulders or about the
neck or the waist; a light shawl or handkerchief for the neck; also, a
cravat; a neckcloth.
Put on your hood and scarf.
Swift.
With care about the banners, scarves, and
staves.
R. Browning.Scarf, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Scarfed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Scarfing.] 1. To throw on loosely; to put
on like a scarf. "My sea-gown scarfed about me."
Shak.
2. To dress with a scarf, or as with a scarf;
to cover with a loose wrapping. Shak.
Scarf (?), n. (a)
In a piece which is to be united to another by a scarf joint, the
part of the end or edge that is tapered off, rabbeted, or notched so
as to be thinner than the rest of the piece. (b)
A scarf joint.
Scarf joint (a) A joint made
by overlapping and bolting or locking together the ends of two pieces
of timber that are halved, notched, or cut away so that they will fit
each other and form a lengthened beam of the same size at the junction
as elsewhere. (b) A joint formed by welding,
riveting, or brazing together the overlapping scarfed ends, or edges,
of metal rods, sheets, etc. -- Scarf weld.
See under Weld.
Scarf (skärf), n. [Icel.
skarfr.] A cormorant. [Scot.]
Scarf, v. t. [Sw. skarfva to eke
out, to join together, skarf a seam, joint; cf. Dan.
skarre to joint, to unite timber, Icel. skara to clinch
the planks of a boat, G. scharben to chop, to cut small.]
(a) To form a scarf on the end or edge of, as for
a joint in timber, metal rods, etc. (b) To
unite, as two pieces of timber or metal, by a scarf joint.