Meaning of gaffle | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A lever used to bend a crossbow.
   obsolete
2. A steel spur attached to a gamecock (sometimes used figuratively).
3. A portable fork of iron or wood in which the heavy musket formerly in use was rested that it might be accurately aimed and fired.
   historical
4. a fork in an orienteering race.

Examples

“These birds, having been some time previous bereft of the weapons nature designed for their defence, are now fornished with gaffles, or artificial spurs, each of which is a polished steel blade , about three inches in length, half an inch wide at the base, curved slightly upwards, sharp at the point and on the upper edge, and firmly fastened to the leg by means of a clasp.”

“One sits with a harp at his lord's feet; another tames the wild hawk and trains him, teaches him with his little gaffles till the Welsh bird becomes docile.”

“Conkling and Me Too Platt, by putting the gaffles into President Garfield, ruptured the Republican party from narrative to neckband, and the Democrats won in a walk.”

CEFR level