Ruff

Ruff
Ruff Ruff, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel. r[umc]finn rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf rude, rough, Sp. rufo frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen to pluck, fight, rupfen to pluck, pull, E. rough. [root]18. Cf. {Ruffle} to wrinkle.] 1. 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. --Shak. [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. --Howell. [1913 Webster]

2. 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. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

3. 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! --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

4. Wanton or tumultuous procedure or conduct. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

To ruffle it out in a riotous ruff. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]

5. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; a ruffle. [1913 Webster]

6. (Mach.) A collar on a shaft ot other piece to prevent endwise motion. See Illust. of {Collar}. [1913 Webster]

7. (Zo["o]l.) A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers round, or on, the neck of a bird. [1913 Webster]

8. (Zo["o]l.) (a) 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 called {reeve}, or {rheeve}. (b) A variety of the domestic pigeon, having a ruff of its neck. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Ruff — ist der Name von Charles Ruff (1939–2000), US amerikanischer Jurist Christiane Ruff (* 1960), deutsche Fernsehproduzentin Franz Ruff (1906–1979), deutscher Architekt Hugo Ruff (1843–1924), deutscher Heimatforscher Ingo Ruff (* 20. Jhdt.),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Ruff — Ruff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ruffed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ruffing}.] 1. To ruffle; to disorder. Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [1913 Webster] 3. (Hawking) To hit, as the prey, without fixing it. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ruff — Ruff, n. [F. ronfle; cf. It. ronfa, Pg. rufa, rifa.] (Card Playing) (a) A game similar to whist, and the predecessor of it. Nares. (b) The act of trumping, especially when one has no card of the suit led. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ruff — Ruff, v. i. & t. (Card Playing) To trump. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ruff — Ruff, Ruffe Ruffe, n. [OE. ruffe.] (Zo[ o]l.) A small freshwater European perch ({Acerina vulgaris}); called also {pope}, {blacktail}, and {stone perch}, or {striped perch}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ruff — ruff; wood·ruff; …   English syllables

  • ruff — ► NOUN 1) a projecting starched frill worn round the neck, characteristic of Elizabethan and Jacobean costume. 2) a ring of feathers or hair round the neck of a bird or mammal. 3) (pl. same or ruffs) a wading bird, the male of which has a large… …   English terms dictionary

  • ruff — ruff1 [ruf] n. [contr. of RUFFLE1, n.] 1. a high, frilled or pleated collar of starched muslin, lace, etc., worn by men and women in the 16th and 17th cent. 2. a band of distinctively colored or protruding feathers or fur about the neck of an… …   English World dictionary

  • ruff — [rʌf] n [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from RUFFLE1] 1.) a stiff circular white collar, worn in the 16th century 2.) a circle of feathers or fur around the neck of an animal or bird …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • ruff — [ rʌf ] noun count 1. ) the fur or feathers that grow around the neck of an animal or bird 2. ) a large collar with upright folds that people wore in the 16th and 17th centuries …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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