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Scoff   /skɔf/   Listen
noun
Scoff  n.  
1.
Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach. "With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts."
2.
An object of scorn, mockery, or derision. "The scoff of withered age and beardless youth."



verb
Scoff  v. t.  To treat or address with derision; to assail scornfully; to mock at. "To scoff religion is ridiculously proud and immodest."



Scoff  v. i.  (past & past part. scoffed; pres. part. scoffing)  To show insolent ridicule or mockery; to manifest contempt by derisive acts or language; often with at. "Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray." "God's better gift they scoff at and refuse."
Synonyms: To sneer; mock; gibe; jeer. See Sneer.






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Scoff" Quotes from Famous Books



... paths. Nor were the freethinkers of the large towns, who shared the missionary's esoteric principles, encouraged; for outwardly, at least, the Mahdi was strictly a Moslem. When people at Kayrawan began to put in practice the missionary's advanced theories, to scoff at all the rules of Islam, to indulge in free love, pig's flesh, and wine, they were sternly brought to order. The mysterious powers expected of a mahdi were sedulously rumored among the credulous ...
— The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 5 • Various

... bringing the highest quantity of rational enjoyment within the reach of general society, England is wholly superior in civilization to the shivering splendours of the Continent. Foreigners are beginning to learn this; and those who are most disposed to scoff at our taste, are the readiest to ...
— Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 - Vol. 53, January, 1843 • Various

... remain pious in that country (or, rather, we should say, in the capital, for of that we speak,) are unaffectedly so, for they have no worldly benefit to hope for from their piety; the great majority have no religion at all, and do not scoff at the few, for scoffing is the minority's weapon, and is passed always to the weaker side, whatever that may be. Thus H. B. caricatures the Ministers: if by any accident that body of men should be dismissed from their situations, ...
— The Paris Sketch Book Of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh • William Makepeace Thackeray

... concert audience will not raise it. If the audience were left to itself, it would permit late arrivals, and all the disturbance of chatter and movement. To twist the line of Goldsmith, those who came to pray would be at the mercy of those who came to scoff; and such mercy is merciless. The conductor stands in loco parentis. He is the advocatus angeli. He does for the audience what it would not do for itself. He protects it against its own fatal good-nature. He insists that ...
— Ars Recte Vivende - Being Essays Contributed to "The Easy Chair" • George William Curtis

... had assembled in the square, despite the increasing rain. Many had come to scoff. What a farce it all would be! They did well, however, to wait two days! The rain was almost over. It would probably stop by the time they ...
— The Torrent - Entre Naranjos • Vicente Blasco Ibanez


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