scoff

plural scoffs

1. A derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.

   There were sneers, and scoffs, and inuendoes of some; prophecies of failure in a hundred ways […]

   1852, The Dublin University Magazine, page 66

   2 more examples

   VVith ſcoffes and ſcornes, and contumelious taunts, / In open Market-place produc't they me, / To be a publique ſpectacle to all: / Here, ſayd they, is the Terror of the French, / The Scar-Crovv that affrights our Children ſo.

   1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene vi], page 100, column 1

   "I believe you've killed that constable in the exercise of his duty, sir; the man's dead;" said Lowe, sternly. / "Another gloss on my text; why invade me like house-breakers?" said Dangerfield, with a grim scoff.

   1863, J[oseph] Sheridan Le Fanu, “The Wher-wolf”, in The House by the Church-yard. […], volume III, London: Tinsley, Brothers, […], →OCLC, page 200

   Synonyms: derision, ridicule, ridicule, derision, mockery, katagelasticism

2. An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.

   [T]he scoff of wither'd age and beardless youth […]

   1782, William Cowper, “Hope”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], →OCLC

present singular third person scoffs · participle present scoffing · participle past scoffed · past scoffed

1. intransitiveTo jeer; to laugh with contempt and derision.

   Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, / And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray.

   1770, [Oliver] Goldsmith, The Deserted Village, a Poem, London: […] W[illiam] Griffin, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: laugh at, sneer, gird, jeer, jibe, laugh at, scorn, sneer

2. transitiveTo mock; to treat with scorn.

   Synonyms: contemn, deride, badger, bam, barrack, brock, bullyrag, chiack

plural scoffs

1. British ArmyNewfoundlandSouth AfricacountableslanguncountableFood.
2. countableslanguncountableThe act of eating.

   Lunch for the busy has become a quick scoff of processed, terrifyingly orange couscous, […]

   2016, Fearne Cotton, Cook Happy, Cook Healthy

present singular third person scoffs · participle present scoffing · participle past scoffed · past scoffed

1. AustraliaNewfoundlandUKslangTo eat food quickly.

   ‘You got to own that this old Orlando Boop’s pretty hot stuff, having it out with the Baron for scoffing all the best food at his table.’

   1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 84

   1 more example

   The numbers thin out the further we get from London, so I don't feel guilty when I remove my mask momentarily to scoff some of the snacks I'd bought at Marylebone.

   2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 68

   Synonyms: gobble, scarf

2. British ArmyNewfoundlandSouth AfricaslangTo eat.