adj.1 (of ground or terrain) having a rough uneven surface.
2 (of features) strongly marked; irregular in outline.
3 a unpolished; lacking gentleness or refinement (rugged grandeur). b harsh in sound. c austere, unbending (rugged honesty). d involving hardship (a rugged life).
4 (esp. of a machine) robust, sturdy.
Derivatives:
ruggedly adv. ruggedness n.
Etymology: ME, prob. f. Scand.: cf. RUG, and Sw. rugga, roughen