doff
UK[dɒf]US[dɑːf]
v
To remove an item of clothing, especially a hat.
Morpheme Breakdown
do
off
do
off
away, from a place
Etymology
The word 'doff' is a contraction of the Middle English phrase 'do off', which was a direct instruction meaning 'to do (the action of) taking off'. It emerged in the late Old English period as 'dōn of', where 'dōn' meant 'to do' and 'of' meant 'away'. This phrasal verb was commonly used for removing garments or hats. Over centuries, the two words merged into a single lexical unit, 'doff', solidifying its specific meaning of removing clothing, particularly headwear, as a gesture of respect. A parallel formation is 'don', from 'do on', meaning to put clothing on.
Analysis
Structure: do + off
- do: (Middle English, Old English) A general-purpose verb used to form phrasal verbs.
- off: (Middle English, Old English) An adverb/particle meaning 'away, from a place'.
Examples
He politely doffed his cap as the lady passed by.
The knight doffed his heavy helmet after the tournament.
It is customary to doff your hat when entering the chapel.