DCHP-1 Online

duffle duffles [< Duffel, a town near Antwerp]

• 1 n. a very closely woven woollen cloth.

  See also: Duffield(s)  stroud(s)   

  • 1674  (1942)  Ordered . . . that Mr. Holmes provide 4 pieces of duffals. . . .
  • 1896  The Indian gets his duffel by the yard, and when he has cut it into strips--about six inches wide by eighteen inches long his socks are completed.
  • 1954  Red Duffle all gone long ago, Blankets nearly so.
  • 1958  When it is warmer, he wears a parka of duffel. . . .

• 2a n. (usually plural) a warm ankle-length sock, or liner, of duffle worn inside moccasins, mukluks, etc. and usually folded down at the top.

  See also: duffle sock (def. 1)(def. 2)  

  • 1913  No matter how careful he is, there is bound to be more or less moisture in his moccasins and duffels (socks made in the shape of moccasins out of blanket material, and worn over light stockings and under heavy outside ones) and if they are not dried out daily sore feet are sure to be the result.
  • 1964  An inner shoe, known as "duffle," is worn in cold weather, as well as ordinary woolen socks.

• 2b n. (usually plural) a long stocking of duffle worn over inner socks inside moccasins, mukluks, etc.

  See also: duffle stocking  

  • 1884  Before going to bed, dry duffels moccasins and duffels are put on the feet, the leggings and over coat taken off, the cap tied on firmly and sometimes it is a case of shiver all night.
  • 1926  The duffels reached up to the knee and were tied there to keep the snow out. Moccasins were worn over the duffels.
  • 1962  In the winter the children wore coats made of Hudson's Bay blankets with a strip of leather for a belt, leggings called "duffels" made of blanket cloth, with moccasins over them, and woollen caps pulled down over their ears.

• 3 n. personal belongings such as were carried in a duffle-bag; personal gear carried on the trail.

  See also: duffle-bag  

  • 1938  Perhaps Harry Paull had a pack of cards somewhere in his duffle, but he did not carry a gun.
  • 1964  They emptied the canoe of duffle and food and eagerly ran the rapids

• 4 n. a large bag of heavy cloth or canvas, used for carrying personal belongings.

  See also: duffle-bag  

  • 1946  Duffles are packed and we are still sitting about. . . .
  • 1957  In the next moment he had let his duffel slip off his shoulder and over his head.