ruff

/ɹʌf//ɹəf/

noun

  1. 1

    A circular frill or ruffle on a garment, especially a starched, fluted frill at the neck in Elizabethan and Jacobean England (1560s–1620s).

  2. 2

    Anything formed with plaits or flutings like a frill.

  3. 3

    Senses relating to animals.

  4. 4

    A collar on a shaft or other piece to prevent endwise motion.

  5. 5

    An exhibition of haughtiness or pride.

  6. 6

    Tumultuous or wanton conduct or procedure.

verb

  1. 1

    To shape (fabric, etc.) into a ruff; to adorn (a garment, etc.) with a ruff.

  2. 2

    Of a falcon, hawk, etc.: to hit (the prey) without fixing or grabbing hold of it.

  3. 3

    To ruffle; to disorder.

  4. 4

    Of a bird: to ruffle its feathers.

  5. 5

    To boast, to brag.

  6. 6

    To speak in a loud and domineering manner; to bluster, to swagger.

noun

  1. 1

    Arripis georgianus, a fish found in cool waters off the southern coast of Australia; the Australian herring or tommy ruff.

  2. 2

    A bottom-dwelling carnivorous fish of the family Sparidae found in temperate and tropical waters; a porgy or sea bream.

Synonyms

noun

  1. 1

    Gymnocephalus cernua, a small Eurasian freshwater fish.

  2. 2

    Other species in the same genus.

Synonyms

noun

  1. 1

    An instance of ruffing, or an opportunity to ruff, when unable to follow suit.

  2. 2

    A game similar to whist and its predecessor.

verb

  1. 1

    To play a trump card to a trick when unable to follow suit (that is, to play a card of the same suit as the previous or leading card).

  2. 2

    Especially in the form ruff out: to defeat (a card, etc.) by ruffing, thus establishing the master card in the suit led.

Synonyms

noun

  1. 1

    A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruffle.

verb

  1. 1

    To beat a ruff or ruffle, as on a drum.

  2. 2

    Of a drum, etc.: to have a ruff or ruffle beaten on it.

interjection

  1. 1

    The bark of a dog; arf, woof.

adjective

  1. 1

    Not smooth; uneven.

  2. 2

    Approximate; hasty or careless; not finished.

    a rough estimate; a rough sketch of a building; a rough plan
  3. 3

    Turbulent.

    rough sea
  4. 4

    Difficult; trying.

    Being a teenager nowadays can be rough.
  5. 5

    Crude; unrefined

    His manners are a bit rough, but he means well.
  6. 6

    Violent; not careful or subtle

    This box has been through some rough handling.
  7. 7

    Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating.

    a rough tone; a rough voice
  8. 8

    Not polished; uncut; said of a gem.

    a rough diamond
  9. 9

    Harsh-tasting.

    rough wine
  10. 10

    Somewhat ill; sick

  11. 11

    Unwell due to alcohol; hungover

Antonyms

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