STUFF

Definitions

1. 1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of manufacture. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. Ex. xxxvi. 7. Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff. Shak. The workman on his stuff his skill doth show, And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill. Sir J. Davies.
2. 2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up; elemental part; essence. Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do no contrived murder. Shak.
3. 3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind; specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber. What stuff wilt have a kirtle of Shak. It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though, superior kinds were of silk exclusively. F. G. Lee.
4. 4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils. He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff. Hayward.
5. 5. A medicine or mixture; a potion. Shak.
6. 6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or irrational language; nonsense; trash. Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write. Dryden.
7. 7. A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared for lubrication. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
8. 8. Paper stock ground ready for use.