(~s, ruffling, ~d)
1.
If you ~ someone’s hair, you move your hand backwards and forwards through it as a way of showing your affection towards them.
‘Don’t let that get you down,’ he said ruffling Ben’s dark curls.
VERB: V n
2.
When the wind ~s something such as the surface of the sea, it causes it to move gently in a wave-like motion. (LITERARY)
The evening breeze ~d the pond...
VERB: V n
3.
If something ~s someone, it causes them to panic and lose their confidence or to become angry or upset.
I could tell that my refusal to allow him to ~ me infuriated him.
VERB: V n
4.
If a bird ~s its feathers or if its feathers ~, they stand out on its body, for example when it is cleaning itself or when it is frightened.
Tame birds, when approached, will stretch out their necks and ~ their neck feathering...
Its body plumage suddenly began to ~ and swell.
VERB: V n, V
5.
Ruffles are folds of cloth at the neck or the ends of the arms of a piece of clothing, or are sometimes sewn on things as a decoration.
...a white blouse with ~s at the neck and cuffs.
N-COUNT: usu pl
6.
To ~ someone’s feathers means to cause them to become very angry, nervous, or upset.
His direct, often abrasive approach will doubtless ~ a few feathers...
PHRASE: V inflects