Definition of furlough

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< furlong

furmity >

fur·lough    (fûrl) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. A leave of absence or vacation, especially one granted to a member of the armed forces.
   2. A usually temporary layoff from work.
   3. A leave of absence from prison granted to a prisoner.
2. The papers or documents authorizing a leave: The soldiers had their furloughs in their breast pockets.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
fur·loughed, fur·lough·ing, fur·loughs

1. To grant a leave to.
2. To lay off (workers).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Alteration of vorloffe, furlogh, from Dutch verlof, from Middle Dutch; see leubh- in Indo-European roots