gaff
1
9.9
- noun
- /ɡæf/
- Specialized
:
garfio
- The fisherman reached for his gaff to land the prize catch that was jumping beside the boat.
- gaff fishing
Examples
-
- Do you want to use my gaff?
-
Fishing in this manner, by an experienced gaff fisher, allows for the targeting of individual fish.
Academic text (2007) -
Grab on to the gaff.
-
Fishing by use of a gaff is a one-fish-at-a-time process.
Academic text (2007) -
Holding the gaff in one hand, he reached down and took hold of the nearest pectoral fin.
Academic text (1997) -
The captain leaned out over the gunwale and struck the gaff into the shark's far side just behind the gills.
Academic text (1997) -
When a fish is in position, the fisher executes a sudden motion, engaging the gaff hook in the fish, and then deftly pulls the fish ashore.
Academic text (2007) -
Using a large gaff, he expertly pulled the struggling fish out of the water.
-
After hooking the fish, she handed the gaff to her partner to secure the catch more easily.
Synonyms
3
9.9
A long stick with sharp points used to spear fish or frogs
A long pole with a hooked point for catching fish by spearing
A spear with a barbed point on a shaft used to catch fish
Compounds
- Specialized
A triangular sail set above the gaff with its bottom on the gaff and its front edge along the topmast
- Specialized
A four-sided sail set along the boat with its top held by a sloping pole
How Forceful
Surface Forms
Etymology
Gaff for a large fishing hook comes from an old word for a 'hook' or 'beak', so picture a long hooked pole used to lift a big fish into the boat.