Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ruff
Ruff
(rŭf)
, Noun.
[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.
Ruff
,Verb.
I.
& T.
(Card Playing)
To trump.
Ruff
,Noun.
[Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel.
rūfinn
rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf
rude, rough, Sp. rufo
frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen
to pluck, fight, rupfen
to pluck, pull, E. rough
. √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.
Here to-morrow with his best
ruff
on. Shakespeare
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.
2.
Something formed with plaits or flutings, like the collar of this name.
I reared this flower; . . .
Soft on the paper
Soft on the paper
ruff
its leaves I spread. Pope.
3.
An exhibition of pride or haughtiness.
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.
4.
Wanton or tumultuous procedure or conduct.
[Obs.]
To ruffle it out in a riotous
ruff
. Latimer.
5.
(Mil.)
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; a ruffle.
7.
(Zool.)
A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers round, or on, the neck of a bird.
8.
(Zool.)
(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.
Ruff
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ruffed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ruffing
.] 1.
To ruffle; to disorder.
Spenser.
2.
(Mil.)
To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
3.
(Hawking)
To hit, as the prey, without fixing it.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ruff
RUFF
, n.1.
A piece of plaited linen worn by females around the neck.2.
Something puckered or plaited.3.
A small fish, a species of Perca.4.
A bird of the genus Tringa, with a tuft of feathers around the neck of the male, whence the name. The female is called reeve.5.
A state of roughness. Obs.6.
Pride; elevation; as princes in the ruff of all their glory.7.
A particular species of pigeon.8.
At cards, the act of winning the trick by trumping the cards of another suit.RUFF
, v.t.1.
To ruffle; to disorder.2.
To trump any other suit of cards at whist.