a. Obs. [? f. STAFF sb.1 + FULL a.
The original notion was perh. ‘full to the brim but not heaped up,’ as when a staff has been passed across the brim. But cf. Norw. stappfull crammed full (Aasen), f. stappa to stamp, crush.]
Quite full.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 494. Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 1543. A Mitre … Stiȝt staffull of stanes þat straȝt out bemes.
c. 1420. Liber Cocorum, 34. And do hit in a barel þenne; Þe barel staf ful as I þe kenne.
