† cof, a. Obs.
1–2 cáf, kaf, 4 kof.
[OE. cáf:—OTeut. type *kaifo-; f. root *kī̆f, kaif, whence ON. kîfa, Ger. keifen, Du. kijven, to strive keenly. The meaning of OE. cáf was largely that of L. acer, alacer.]
Quick, nimble, prompt; eager, keen, bold; fierce, pugnacious.
| c 1000 ælfric On N. Test. 16/39 (Gr.) Swiðe glæd on mode and on anᵹinne caf. c 1000 Thorpe Hom. II. 44 (Bosw.) Ðæt hi sceoldon beon cafe to Godes willan. c 1200 Ormin 19962 Godess dom..to kiþenn forþ Biforenn kafe & kene. c 1220 Bestiary 151 If he [the neddre] cloðed man se, cof he waxeð. Ibid. 220 On ðe cloðede ðe neddre is cof. a 1225 Ancr. R. 66 Þe luðere coue deouel. c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 624 He hyȝed to Saré Comaunded hir to be cof & quyk. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 66 Þat herd Harald, fulle kene he was & kof [rime drof]. |