a. Obs. 1–2 cáf, kaf, 4 kof. [OE. cáf:—OTeut. type *kaifo-; f. root *kĭf, kaif, whence ON. kîfa, Ger. keifen, Du. kijven, to strive keenly. The meaning of OE. cáf was largely that of L. acer, alacer.] Quick, nimble, prompt; eager, keen, bold; fierce, pugnacious.
c. 1000. Ælfric, On N. Test., 16/39 (Gr.). Swiðe glæd on mode and on anʓinne caf.
c. 1000. Thorpe’s Hom., II. 44 (Bosw.). Ðæt hi sceoldon beon cafe to Godes willan.
c. 1200. Ormin, 19962. Godess dom … to kiþenn forþ Biforenn kafe & kene.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 151. If he [the neddre] cloðed man se, cof he waxeð. Ibid., 220. On ðe cloðede ðe neddre is cof.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 66. Þe luðere coue deouel.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 624. He hyȝed to Saré Comaunded hir to be cof & quyk.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 66. Þat herd Harald, fulle kene he was & kof [rhyme drof].
