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cuff
The word evokes a strong sense of restriction or containment, whether it is the formal constraint of a tailored suit or the legal constraint of law enforcement. It carries a duality between high-fashion sophistication and the gritty reality of criminal apprehension. When used as a verb for clothing, it implies a casual modification of appearance, shifting a garment from a formal or standard length to something more relaxed. In the context of a physical blow, it suggests a sharp, sudden strike, usually intended to discipline rather than cause serious injury.
Countable when referring to the physical fabric of a sleeve or the metal restraint of a handcuff.
Meanings
The end part of a sleeve that covers the wrist.
"He adjusted the silver cuff of his dress shirt."
A metal ring used to secure a person's wrists.
"The officer tightened the cuff around the suspect's arm."