Word Study
ruff
CIDE DICTIONARY
ruff, n. [F. ronfle; cf. It. ronfa, Pg. rufa, rifa.].
A game similar to whist, and the predecessor of it. Nares. [1913 Webster]
ruff, v. i. & t.
To trump. [1913 Webster]
ruff, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel. r rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf rude, rough, Sp. rufo frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen to pluck, fight, rupfen to pluck, pull, E. rough. Ruffle to wrinkle.].
- A muslin or linen collar plaited, crimped, or fluted, worn formerly by both sexes, now only by women and children. [1913 Webster]"Here to-morrow with his best ruff on." [1913 Webster]"His gravity is much lessened since the late proclamation came out against ruffs; . . . they were come to that height of excess herein, that twenty shillings were used to be paid for starching of a ruff." [1913 Webster]
- Something formed with plaits or flutings, like the collar of this name. [1913 Webster]"I reared this flower; . . .
Soft on the paper ruff its leaves I spread." [1913 Webster] - An exhibition of pride or haughtiness. [1913 Webster]"How many princes . . . in the ruff of all their glory, have been taken down from the head of a conquering army to the wheel of the victor's chariot!" [1913 Webster]
- Wanton or tumultuous procedure or conduct. [1913 Webster]"To ruffle it out in a riotous ruff." [1913 Webster]
- A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; a ruffle. [1913 Webster]
- A collar on a shaft ot other piece to prevent endwise motion. See Illust. of Collar. [1913 Webster]
- A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers round, or on, the neck of a bird. [1913 Webster]
- A limicoline bird of Europe and Asia (
Pavoncella pugnax , syn.Philomachus pugnax ) allied to the sandpipers. The males during the breeding season have a large ruff of erectile feathers, variable in their colors, on the neck, and yellowish naked tubercles on the face. They are polygamous, and are noted for their pugnacity in the breeding season. The female is calledreeve , orrheeve . [1913 Webster]
ruff, v. t.
- To ruffle; to disorder. Spenser. [1913 Webster]
- To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [1913 Webster]
- To hit, as the prey, without fixing it. [1913 Webster]
- To play a trump card at bridge; as, he ruffed his partner's ace. [PJC]
ruff, n. [OE. ruffe.].
A small freshwater European perch (Acerina vulgaris ); -- called also pope , blacktail , and stone perch , or striped perch . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ruff, n.
1 a projecting starched frill worn round the neck esp. in the 16th c.
2 a projecting or conspicuously coloured ring of feathers or hair round a bird's or animal's neck.
3 a domestic pigeon like a jacobin.
4 (fem. reeve) a wading bird, Philomachus pugnax, of which the male has a ruff and ear-tufts in the breeding season.
1 a projecting starched frill worn round the neck esp. in the 16th c.
2 a projecting or conspicuously coloured ring of feathers or hair round a bird's or animal's neck.
3 a domestic pigeon like a jacobin.
4 (fem. reeve) a wading bird, Philomachus pugnax, of which the male has a ruff and ear-tufts in the breeding season.
Derivative
rufflike adj.
ruff, n. (also ruffe) any of various fish, esp. a perch-like freshwater fish, Gymnocephalus cernua, found in European lakes and rivers.
ruff, v. & n.
--v.intr. & tr. trump at cards.
--n. an act of ruffing.
--v.intr. & tr. trump at cards.
--n. an act of ruffing.
Etymology
orig. the name of a card-game: f. OF roffle, rouffle, = It. ronfa (perh. alt. of trionfo TRUMP(1))
THESAURUS
ruff
ace, barrage, beat, beating, best bower, bower, cards, clubs, crease, crimp, crisp, deck, deuce, diamonds, dog-ear, double, double over, drum, drum music, drumbeat, drumfire, drumming, dummy, enfold, face cards, flounce, flush, flute, flutter, fold, fold over, frill, full house, gather, hand, hearts, infold, interfold, jack, joker, king, knave, lap over, left bower, pack, pair, palpitation, paradiddle, patter, picture cards, pitapat, pitter-patter, plait, plat, playing cards, pleat, plicate, ply, pound, pounding, pulsation, queen, quill, rat-a-tat, rat-tat, rat-tat-tat, rataplan, rattattoo, roll, round, royal flush, rub-a-dub, rubber, ruffle, singleton, spades, spatter, splutter, sputter, staccato, straight, tat-tat, tattoo, throb, throbbing, thrum, thumping, tom-tom, trey, trick, trump, tuck, turn over, twillROGET THESAURUS
ruff
Clothing
N clothing, investment, covering, dress, raiment, drapery, costume, attire, guise, toilet, toilette, trim, habiliment, vesture, vestment, garment, garb, palliament, apparel, wardrobe, wearing apparel, clothes, things, underclothes, array, tailoring, millinery, finery, full dress, garniture, theatrical properties, outfit, equipment, trousseau, uniform, regimentals, continentals, canonicals, livery, gear, harness, turn-out, accouterment, caparison, suit, rigging, trappings, traps, slops, togs, toggery, day wear, night wear, zoot suit, designer clothes, masquerade, dishabille, morning dress, undress, kimono, lungi, shooting-coat, mufti, rags, tatters, old clothes, mourning, weeds, duds, slippers, robe, tunic, paletot, habit, gown, coat, frock, blouse, toga, smock frock, claw coat, hammer coat, Prince Albert coat, sack coat, tuxedo coat, frock coat, dress coat, tail coat, cloak, pall, mantle, mantlet mantua, shawl, pelisse, wrapper, veil, cape, tippet, kirtle, plaid, muffler, comforter, haik, huke, chlamys, mantilla, tabard, housing, horse cloth, burnoose, burnous, roquelaure, houppelande, surcoat, overcoat, great coat, surtout, spencer, mackintosh, waterproof, raincoat, ulster, P-coat, dreadnought, wraprascal, poncho, cardinal, pelerine, barbe, chudder, jubbah, oilskins, pajamas, pilot jacket, talma jacket, vest, jerkin, waistcoat, doublet, camisole, gabardine, farthingale, kilt, jupe, crinoline, bustle, panier, skirt, apron, pinafore, bloomer, bloomers, chaqueta, songtag, tablier, pants, trousers, trowsers, breeches, pantaloons, inexpressibles, overalls, smalls, small clothes, shintiyan, shorts, jockey shorts, boxer shorts, tights, drawers, panties, unmentionables, knickers, knickerbockers, philibeg, fillibeg, pants suit, culottes, jeans, blue jeans, dungarees, denims, Levis, Calvin Klein, Calvins, Bonjour, Gloria Vanderbilt, headdress, headgear, chapeau, crush hat, opera hat, kaffiyeh, sombrero, jam, tam-o-shanter, tarboosh, topi, sola topi, pagri, puggaree, cap, hat, beaver hat, coonskin cap, castor, bonnet, tile, wideawake, billycock, wimple, nightcap, mobcap, skullcap, hood, coif, capote, calash, kerchief, snood, babushka, head, coiffure, crown, chignon, pelt, wig, front, peruke, periwig, caftan, turban, fez, shako, csako, busby, kepi, forage cap, bearskin, baseball cap, fishing hat, helmet, mask, domino, body clothes, linen, hickory shirt, shirt, sark, smock, shift, chemise, night gown, negligee, dressing gown, night shirt, bedgown, sac de nuit, underclothes, underpants, undershirt, slip, brassiere, corset, stays, corsage, corset, corselet, bodice, girdle, stomacher, petticoat, panties, under waistcoat, jock, athletic supporter, jockstrap, sweater, jersey, cardigan, turtleneck, pullover, sweater vest, neckerchief, neckcloth, tie, ruff, collar, cravat, stock, handkerchief, scarf, bib, tucker, boa, cummerbund, rumal, rabat, shoe, pump, boot, slipper, sandal, galoche, galoshes, patten, clog, sneakers, running shoes, hiking boots, high-low, Blucher boot, wellington boot, Hessian boot, jack boot, top boot, Balmoral, arctics, bootee, bootikin, brogan, chaparajos, chavar, chivarras, chivarros, gums, larrigan, rubbers, showshoe, stogy, veldtschoen, legging, buskin, greave, galligaskin, gamache, gamashes, moccasin, gambado, gaiter, spatterdash, brogue, antigropelos, stocking, hose, gaskins, trunk hose, sock, hosiery, glove, gauntlet, mitten, cuff, wristband, sleeve, swaddling cloth, baby linen, layette, ice wool, taffeta, pocket handkerchief, hanky, hankie, clothier, tailor, milliner, costumier, sempstress, snip, dressmaker, habitmaker, breechesmaker, shoemaker, Crispin, friseur, cordwainer, cobbler, hosier, hatter, draper, linen draper, haberdasher, mercer, diaper, nappy, disposable diaper, cloth diaper, Luvs Huggies, invested, habited, dighted, barbed, barded, clad, costume, shod, chausse, en grande tenue, sartorial, the soul of this man is his clothes.For further exploring for "ruff" in Webster Dictionary Online
