Rough diamond

Rough diamond
Rough Rough, a. [Compar. {Rougher}; superl. {Roughest}.] [OE. rou?, rou, row, rugh, ruh, AS. r?h; akin to LG. rug, D. rug, D. ruig, ruw, OHG. r?h, G. rauh, rauch; cf. Lith. raukas wrinkle, rukti to wrinkle. [root] 18. Cf. {Rug}, n.] 1. Having inequalities, small ridges, or points, on the surface; not smooth or plain; as, a rough board; a rough stone; rough cloth. Specifically: (a) Not level; having a broken surface; uneven; -- said of a piece of land, or of a road. ``Rough, uneven ways.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) Not polished; uncut; -- said of a gem; as, a rough diamond. (c) Tossed in waves; boisterous; high; -- said of a sea or other piece of water. [1913 Webster]

More unequal than the roughest sea. --T. Burnet. [1913 Webster] (d) Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; -- said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat. ``A visage rough.'' --Dryden. ``Roughsatyrs.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or polish. Specifically: (a) Not courteous or kind; harsh; rude; uncivil; as, a rough temper. [1913 Webster]

A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

A surly boatman, rough as wayes or winds. --Prior. [1913 Webster] (b) Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions. [1913 Webster]

On the rough edge of battle. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

A quicker and rougher remedy. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]

Kind words prevent a good deal of that perverseness which rough and imperious usage often produces. --Locke. [1913 Webster] (c) Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating; -- said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough tone; rough numbers. --Pope. [1913 Webster] (d) Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine. (e) Tempestuous; boisterous; stormy; as, rough weather; a rough day. [1913 Webster]

He stayeth his rough wind. --Isa. xxvii. 8. [1913 Webster]

Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (f) Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught. [1913 Webster]

{Rough diamond}, an uncut diamond; hence, colloquially, a person of intrinsic worth under a rude exterior.

{Rough and ready}. (a) Acting with offhand promptness and efficiency. ``The rough and ready understanding.'' --Lowell. [1913 Webster] (b) Produced offhand. ``Some rough and ready theory.'' --Tylor. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • rough diamond — n BrE informal someone who seems rude, rough, or unfriendly, but is actually nice and generous American Equivalent: diamond in the rough …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • rough diamond — A rough diamond is a person who might be a bit rude but who is good underneath it all …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • rough diamond — ► NOUN 1) an uncut diamond. 2) a person who is of good character but lacks manners or education …   English terms dictionary

  • rough diamond — noun 1. : an uncut diamond 2. : a person of exceptional qualities or abilities but lacking in social graces and refinement of manner : diamond in the rough * * * rough diamond 1. An uncut diamond 2. (also (N American) diamond in the rough) a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Rough Diamond — A rough diamond may refer to *a diamond which has not yet been cut, or *a person of intrinsic worth but with rough manners [cite book | title = Concise Oxford Dictionary | publisher = Oxford University press | year = 1985 | isbn = 0198611315] The …   Wikipedia

  • rough diamond —    A rough diamond is a person who might be a bit rude but who is good underneath it all.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    A person who is good natured but lacks polished manners and/or education is said to be a rough diamond.     He s a… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • rough diamond — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms rough diamond : singular rough diamond plural rough diamonds British informal someone who does not behave politely or is not well educated, but is pleasant and kind …   English dictionary

  • Rough diamond —   A rough diamond is a person who might be a bit rude but who is good underneath it all …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • Rough Diamond (album) — For other meanings, see Rough Diamond Infobox Album | Name = Rough Diamond Type = Album Artist = Rough Diamond Released = spring of 1977 Recorded = December 1976 January 1977 Genre = rock Length = 42:46 | Last album = Take No Prisoners (1975)… …   Wikipedia

  • Rough Diamond (BBC TV series) — infobox television show name = Rough Diamond rating = TV PG format = Drama runtime = Varies creator = starring = Conor Mullen, Stanley Townsend, Lorraine Pilkington, Ben Davies country = UK filmed = Ireland network = BBC first aired = 4 February… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”