rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryscruffBack of the neck
noun

scruff

SKRUHF/skrʌf/

The back of the neck, especially where it can be grasped.

The mother cat holds the kitten by the scruff.

A mother cat gently grips the loose skin at the back of her kitten’s neck, with the nape clearly exposed in side view.
Etymology
scruffEnglishnape of the neck

Provincial scuft named the nape, preserving the same bodily meaning as scruff. Its obscure ancestry probably connects it with words for the back of a horse’s neck or its withers.

In context

Owlbear Odysseys107:23
grabs her by the Scruff of her neck no okay so y'all I don't think you should treat women that way
The Final Steps (Heartwood Heist S12)

More examples

  • He felt cold air against the scruff of his neck.
  • The coat's collar brushed the scruff.
  • Loose skin covered the kitten's scruff.

Forms

scruff · scruffs

Similar words

nape
Nape is the neutral anatomical term; scruff often emphasizes graspable skin at the back of the neck.
neck
Neck names the whole region; scruff is the back part.