Scoff (skòf) verb 1 Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach 2 An object of scorn, mockery, or derision
If you scoff at something, you speak about it in a way that shows you think it is ridiculous or inadequate. At first I scoffed at the notion You may scoff but I honestly feel I'm being cruel only to be kind = mock
[ 'skäf, 'skof ] (noun.) 14th century. From Middle English scof/skof, of Scandinavian origin. Compare Old Norse skaup, Danish skuffelse(noun)/skuffe(verb) and Old High German scoph.