Stuff

Stuff Stuff, n. [OF. estoffe, F. ['e]toffe; of uncertain origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t. Cf. {Stuff}, v. t.] 1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of manufacture. [1913 Webster]

For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. --Ex. xxxvi. 7. [1913 Webster]

Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The workman on his stuff his skill doth show, And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]

2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up; elemental part; essence. [1913 Webster]

Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do no contrived murder. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind; specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber. [1913 Webster]

What stuff wilt have a kirtle of? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though, superior kinds were of silk exclusively. --F. G. Lee. [1913 Webster]

4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils. [1913 Webster]

He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff. --Hayward. [1913 Webster]

5. A medicine or mixture; a potion. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or irrational language; nonsense; trash. [1913 Webster]

Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

7. (Naut.) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared for lubrication. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]

8. Paper stock ground ready for use. [1913 Webster]

Note: When partly ground, called half stuff. --Knight. [1913 Webster]

{Clear stuff}. See under {Clear}.

{Small stuff} (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

{Stuff gown}, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister; hence, a junior barrister himself. See {Silk gown}, under {Silk}. [1913 Webster]