Old English

[Anne59]

Hi,

I've been looking for the meaning of the word "huffled" and can't find anything. Can anyone tell me what this word means?

Also, does "give it me under your hand" mean secretly?

Thanks

[bhaisahab]

Hi,

I've been looking for the meaning of the word "huffled" and can't find anything. Can anyone tell me what this word means?

Also, does "give it me under your hand" mean secretly?

Thanks

Where did you find "huffled" Anne? "give it me under your hand" probably means "secretly" or "slyly".

[Anne59]

It's from the book Moll Flanders the part of the sentence I have is:-

She huffled me...

[bhaisahab]

It's from the book Moll Flanders the part of the sentence I have is:-

She huffled me...

I have found a few instances of it's use, but no explanations of it's meaning; although, the contexts in which I have found it seem to suggest that it is perhaps derived from "huff".

Online Etymology Dictionary

[Anglika]

Hi,

I've been looking for the meaning of the word "huffled" and can't find anything. Can anyone tell me what this word means?

Also, does "give it me under your hand" mean secretly?

Thanks

In Baileys 1721 Dictionary "To Huff" is given as To puff or blow, OR to swagger, rant or vapour.

"A Huff" is a swaggering fellow, or a bully.

The surrounding context for your sentence should indicate what is intended by "huffled".

Give it me under your hand - delivered and signed for [used in the days before there was a public penny post which anyone could use. Letters had to be signed for by authorised users of a postal service].