pelf

pɛlf

3 definitions

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#1·2h ago

(uncountable, chiefly, derogatory, dated) Money, riches; gain, especially when dishonestly acquired; lucre, mammon.

The inscriptions on the walls are homilies from the Koran—actual 'sermons in stones'. The inlaid characters in diamond, and other precious stones, have been all abstracted away by the pelf-loving Jaut and Mahratta—leaving the walls defac…

Origin: From Late , pelfe, possibly from (a variant of pelfre) and ; further etymology uncertain, possibly a of , ferpe, frepe. The English word is perhaps related to , pelfra, pelfrum, and , peuffe (Normandy), and pilfer. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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#2·2h ago

(uncountable, dated) Rubbish, trash; specifically (Britain, dialectal) refuse from plants.

But, sighing after his fancies and visionary pursuits, he rebelled and fled fifty miles away for refuge from the lace caps and powdered wigs of his priggish sitters, and resumed his quaint dreams and immeasurable phantasies, never more t…

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#3·2h ago

(uncountable, southwest, Southwest, _, England) Dust; fluff.

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf, and the world makes you King for a day, / Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, and see what that guy has to say.

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