Logo
Search icon

ruff

/ɹʌf/

noun

Meaning

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

  • Anything formed with plaits or flutings like a frill.

  • Senses relating to animals.

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

  • An exhibition of haughtiness or pride.

  • Tumultuous or wanton conduct or procedure.

verb

Meaning

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

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

  • To ruffle; to disorder.

  • Of a bird: to ruffle its feathers.

  • To boast, to brag.

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