ruff 1
— rufflike , adj.
/ruf/ , n.
1. a neckpiece or collar of lace, lawn, or the like, gathered or drawn into deep, full, regular folds, worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.
2. something resembling such a piece in form or position.
3. a collar, or set of lengthened or specially marked hairs or feathers, on the neck of an animal.
4. Ornith. a species of European and Asian sandpiper, Philomachus pugnax, the male of which has a large erectile ruff of feathers during the breeding season. Cf. reeve 3.
5. Alaska and Northern Canada. a fringe of fur around the edge of a parka hood or along the edges of a jacket.
v.t.
6. tease (def. 3).
[ 1515-25; perh. back formation from RUFFLE 1 ]
ruff 2
/ruf/ , Cards.
n.
1. an act or instance of trumping when one cannot follow suit.
2. an old game of cards, resembling whist.
v.t. , v.i.
3. to trump when unable to follow suit.
[ 1580-90; prob. ro ( u ) ffle; c. It ronfa a card game, prob. Trumpf TRUMP 1 ]
ruff 3
/ruf/ , n.
a small European freshwater fish, Acerina cernua, of the perch family.
[ 1400-50; ME ruf, roffe; perh. special use of ROUGH ]